Posted on October 3,  2016

Health Literacy Month Landing Page

Part One: Prevent Asbestos Exposure 
Part Two: Recognize High Risk Occupations
Part Three: Understand the Warning Symptoms for Asbestos-Caused Diseases 
Part Four: Finding a Center of Excellence for Treatment


2 October is Health Literacy Month, and at the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), that means saving lives through prevention. Everyone should know the Irrefutable Facts about how to protect your loved ones from asbestos exposure, because the only two ways to end asbestos-caused diseases are prevention and developing a cure.

Asbestos was widely used in building materials from the 1950s to the 1980s and still poses a significant threat, especially for those living in older homes. ADAO recommends increased awareness when refurbishing or repairing homes, schools, and buildings built before 2000, as materials could contain asbestos. If you suspect that your home or workplace has asbestos-containing materials, do not continue with any DIY projects or attempt to remove the asbestos on your own.  Visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Asbestos Webpage to learn how to hire a professional to safely and legally remove asbestos.

This week, we will highlight asbestos exposure prevention in the home, school, and workplace. Please, take a few moments to read and share the important facts below.

  1. Always remember that asbestos is a known carcinogen that has not been banned in the US.
  2. Understand where asbestos might be in your home, school, and workplace.
  3. Review the EPA Asbestos Dos and Don’ts for the Homeowner
  4. Never test, remove or even sweep up asbestos yourself! Contact your EPA regional office for a list of licensed asbestos professionals in your area.
  5. Watch and share ADAO Prevention Board Co-Chair Brent Kynoch’s “Preventing Asbestos Exposure in Your Home, Workplace and Beyond” conference presentation video, included at the bottom of this blog.

If you have any reason for concern, visit www.epa.gov/asbestos/ for more information, call the EPA’s Asbestos Ombudsman at 800-368-5888, or contact the Environmental Information Association, a multidisciplinary non-profit association, for testing and abatement inquires.

Order your copy of the updated 1985 EPA document ““Managing Asbestos in Buildings: A Guide for Owners and Managers” (EPA 560/5-85-024), known as the Purple Book. This is the preeminent guide for those that own or manage buildings that contain asbestos-containing materials which was updated by the Environmental Information Association.

For more information about asbestos exposure at home, download our one-page flyer: “Identifying Asbestos in Your Home.”

As we say at ADAO, “Hear Asbestos. Think Prevention.”

Linda Reinstein

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