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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 4, 2013 

Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) Identifies US Financial Institutions and Investment Funds who are Shareholders in Brazilian Asbestos Mining Operations 

ADAO President Details Facts Documented by U.S. Geological Survey of More than 1,000 Tons of Asbestos Imports from Brazil 

Washington, DC – April 4, 2013 – The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) today unveiled the facts behind the continued importation of more than 1,000 tons of asbestos from Brazil mining operations that are in part funded by U.S. investors potentially unaware of its dangers. Some of the US financial institutions and investment funds Eternit S.A. shareholders include: Mellon Capital Management Corporation, The Vanguard Group, Inc., and State Street Global Advisors.  In addition, California, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Texas have been identified as ports of entry for Brazilian asbestos.

Asbestos is carcinogenic to humans in all forms according to the World Health Organization, and unsafe at any level of exposure according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Despite these facts, and a second Surgeon General warning of its hazards, asbestos continues to be imported to the U.S., as documented by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Since 2012, Brazil, the third largest producer, has been reported as the sole source for this importation, mined by operations funded in part by U.S. investors; all asbestos imported and used was chrysotile, the deadliest form of this mineral. According to the same USGS report, U.S. asbestos consumption is likely to remain near the 1,000-ton level, as it has in the past 4 years.

Environmental asbestos exposure occurs in the U.S., during natural and man-made disasters, such as Hurricane Sandy and the Joplin, Missouri tornado or W.R. Grace in Libby, MT. Occupational exposure occurs in the U.S. due to lack of knowledge, the long latency period of asbestos disease, the inability to identify asbestos products currently in use, and lack of enforcement. Millions of homes, schools, buildings are contaminated with asbestos.

“I am appalled and disgusted that the United States still allows the importation of asbestos to meet so-called manufacturing needs,” stated Linda Reinstein, ADAO Co-Founder and President. “We’ve known for decades that safer substitutes exist and yet we continue to face a man-made public health crisis.  More than 30 Americans die every day from preventable, asbestos-caused diseases. It’s time we protect public health over the profits of these companies. There is consensus among the World Health Organization and EPA about the life threatening risks of asbestos are undeniable and the Brazilian importation is well documented by the USGS. We must act now to make it crystal clear that we will no longer tolerate policy that allows asbestos to be imported ADAO urges Congress to stop asbestos imports and ban asbestos in our country.”

The World Health Organization estimates that 107,000 workers around the world die each year of an asbestos-related disease, equaling 300 deaths per day.

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Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. ADAO is an independent global organization dedicated to preventing asbestos-related diseases through education, advocacy, and community. For more information, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org. 

Media Contact:
Doug Larkin
Communications
Director
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
(202) 391-1546 Mobile
doug@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org

 

# # #

Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. ADAO is an independent global organization dedicated to preventing asbestos-related diseases through education, advocacy, and community. For more information, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.

 

Media Contact:
Doug Larkin
Communications
Director
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
(202) 391-1546 Mobile
doug@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org