Posted on May 27, 2025

The fight against asbestos exposure remains one of the most urgent and persistent public health challenges of our time. Despite decades of scientific research, regulatory efforts, and awareness campaigns, millions of people around the world continue to face the risk of exposure to this invisible killer. In June 2025, Asbestonomy will host its 4th annual conference in Berlin, bringing together global experts, advocates, and policymakers to confront this crisis head-on and advance meaningful, life-saving solutions.

About Asbestonomy: A Mission-Driven Organization

Founded in 2022 by Hugo Perez, Asbestonomy has become a vital force in the international effort to eliminate asbestos exposure. Led by Laurent Fenouil and a committed leadership team, Asbestonomy’s mission is familiar to ADAO: they seek to significantly reduce asbestos exposure risks and create a world where no one is harmed by this deadly material. We share that goal.

Asbestonomy embraces a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach. Recognizing that asbestos is not just a scientific or regulatory issue, but one that spans public health, environmental justice, construction, labor, and law, the organization brings together professionals from across fields and countries. By uniting diverse voices and areas of expertise, Asbestonomy fosters the exchange of knowledge and the development of practical, life-saving solutions.

At the conference, two dedicated working groups, Innovation and Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL), will offer participants a structured way to contribute ideas, collaborate on projects, and build momentum for systemic change.

The Persistent Threat: Why Asbestos Remains a Global Hazard

Despite decades of scientific consensus on its dangers, asbestos remains legal and in use in many parts of the world, and even in countries where it is banned, legacy asbestos continues to endanger lives. Asbestos fibers, microscopic and deadly, are still present in millions of homes, schools, and workplaces, a toxic reminder of our past uses. Every year, they cause thousands of preventable deaths from diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. There is no safe level of asbestos, and prevention remains the only cure, which is why we must continue to educate the public about asbestos, even as it is eradicated from modern use.

The global regulatory landscape is deeply uneven. Nearly 70 nations have enacted comprehensive bans and robust enforcement; others lag, leaving workers and families vulnerable. This fragmented response allows the asbestos crisis to persist and reinforces the need for international collaboration.

Spotlight: The Ongoing U.S. Crisis

On June 25 at 8:40 AM, Linda Reinstein, ADAO’s co-founder and CEO, will join the conference to speak. Her presentation is titled:

“More Than a Century of Asbestos: Why the U.S. Asbestos Crisis Isn’t Over?”

The United States lags behind in asbestos regulation and continues to grapple with the dangers of it. Ongoing importation, inadequate federal protections, and vast amounts of legacy asbestos in older buildings create an ongoing public health threat, even more so after natural disasters, which are now happening at ever-increasing rates. Linda’s presentation will explore these challenges and offer insights into how advocacy, legal action, and digital storytelling have been used to elevate the human cost of inaction.

2025 Conference Highlights: A Comprehensive Global Agenda

Asbestonomy Conference features an expansive and action-oriented agenda. Key sessions include:

• European Commission’s Guidelines for the Safe Management of Asbestos at Work – informed by extensive stakeholder consultation.

• Country spotlights, including Portugal’s efforts to implement the 2023 EU Directive, the UK’s push for an asbestos-free built environment, and France’s three decades of asbestos regulation.

• Advanced technologies in detection and removal, including AI-assisted fiber recognition and mechanized asbestos removal systems that increase both safety and efficiency.

Asbestonomy is more than a platform for knowledge-sharing—it’s a community of action. The conference fosters meaningful relationships among professionals and citizens dedicated to prevention. Its emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility underscores the idea that while the crisis is global, the solutions require local leadership and tailored strategies.

By joining a working group or connecting through the conference’s collaborative framework, attendees are empowered to stay engaged beyond Berlin, developing strategies, advancing research, and helping shape policy.

The urgency of our mission has never been greater. The asbestos crisis is a preventable tragedy, and we already have the science, tools, and knowledge to end it. What we need now is committed, coordinated global action.

Whether you’re working in occupational safety, public health, policy development, or community advocacy, Berlin offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect, learn, and lead.

The Asbestonomy Conference takes place June 24–25, 2025, at the Melia Berlin Hotel.
To view the full program or register, visit the Asbestonomy website.

Together, we can ensure that asbestos becomes part of our past and not our future.