April 03, 2018 07:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), an independent nonprofit dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure through education, advocacy, and community work, today announced the rollout of a new educational website. The online home of “kNØw Asbestos, Think Prevention,” has been designed as a comprehensive resource guide to learn and understand the dangers of asbestos and what you can do about it. It can be accessed at adaoknowasbestos.org.
“ADAO is honored to have been selected by the State of Washington Attorney General to advance and disseminate easily understood educative materials to a vast audience,” ADAO President Linda Reinstein noted. “It’s been a joy to work with the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency (SRCAA) and to use their excellent resources which were a cornerstone for our website. Most Americans think asbestos is a thing of the past – but they are wrong – asbestos can still be found in homes, schools, and workplaces throughout the nation. Asbestos, a known carcinogen, claims the lives of approximately 15,000 Americans each year, yet raw asbestos imports and use continue.”
As the recipient of a restitution award, ADAO forged new digital and educational paths. “ADAO was deeply saddened to learn that a company had recklessly exposed workers to asbestos. Our vision was to review decades of knowledge and experiences as we designed a user-friendly asbestos education and awareness campaign to be used locally in Spokane, throughout Washington State, the nation, and the world,” explained Reinstein. “Knowledge is power, and it is essential in preventing asbestos exposure to eliminate deadly diseases.”
Built with international collaboration from experts in the US and Australia, site visitors can learn: about asbestos, where it can be found, health risks, and the latest in worker safety. Featuring prevention-centric resources, it targets three specific audiences vulnerable to asbestos exposure: homeowners/DIYers, workers, and businesses. The site also provides audience-specific information for emergencies and disasters that cause structural damage, along with links to ADAO and other national and international resources.
Launching just in time to coincide with the 14th observance of Global Asbestos Awareness Week from April 1-7, the website debut also ties in with the 14th International Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference taking place April 13-15 in Washington, DC.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, as well as lung, gastrointestinal, colorectal, laryngeal, and ovarian cancers, in addition to non-malignant lung and pleural disorders. The Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study of 2013,published in the renowned Lancet Medical Journal, reported that 194,000 people die globally from asbestos-caused diseases every year, translating to more than 500 deaths per day.
About the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO is the largest nonprofit in the US dedicated to providing asbestos victims and concerned citizens with a united voice through our education, advocacy, and community initiatives. ADAO seeks to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure, advocate for an asbestos ban, and protect asbestos victims’ civil rights. For more information, visit asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.
Contact
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
Kim Cecchini, 202-391-5205
kim@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org