Posted on November 1, 2022
Thanks to award-winning photojournalist, Earl Dotter, “Art, Advocacy and Action” continues with his 7th BADGES “A Tribute to Asbestos Workers” poster.
ADAO has been proud and honored to sponsor award-winning photojournalist Earl Dotter’s “BADGES: A Memorial Tribute to Asbestos Workers” posters and exhibits since 2015. Earl has been an advocate and voice for occupational safety, and those who work in hazardous jobs.. For the past seven years, Earl has created an ever-evolving photo exhibit, “BADGES: A Memorial Tribute to Asbestos Workers,” memorializing the asbestos workers of the 20th century and honoring the legacy of famed asbestos treatment pioneer, Dr. Irving J. Selikoff. Earl’s traveling exhibit presents the photo ID badges worn by the countless workers who have been exposed to asbestos in mining, manufacturing and product use.
Earl’s seventh badge reflects the social and environmental impacts of four chlor-alkali plants in Louisiana that import and use raw chrysotile asbestos in their production of industrial chlorine and caustic soda:
- Occidental Chemical Corporation – Covent, LA
- Occidental Chemical Corporation – Taft, LA
- Olin Corporation – Plaquemine, LA
- Westlake Chemical Corporation – Plaquemine, LA
“The chlor-alkali plants that use dangerous and outdated asbestos diaphragms must be held accountable for their choices. Their use of asbestos creates multiple potential pathways for exposure to this known, deadly carcinogen. By coming together we can raise awareness of the risks, support families, and help prevent unnecessary disease and death,” said Linda Reinstein, President and co-founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). “Earl’s work shines a light on those impacted by continued asbestos use in our country, conducted by just one industry.”
- Chlor-alkali industry is the primary importer and user of raw chrysotile asbestos during the manufacturing process of industrial chlorine and caustic soda. From 1991 to 2019, Louisiana saw 22,953 asbestos-related deaths.
- Over 40,000 Americans die annually due to asbestos exposure
- Asbestos is a known human carcinogen
- U.S. is one of the only developed industrial countries to not ban asbestos
- There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos, which can cause a variety of fatal illnesses including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovaries.
Through the BADGES posters, Earl is dedicated to remembering and honoring asbestos workers, raising awareness of asbestos in the workplace, and increasing prevention work in the medical community.
Linda Reinstein
2015 – 2022 Poster Collection
2015: Honoring Dr. Irving Selikoff
2016: Commemorating the death of Alan Reinstein, Veteran and shipyard worker, and the late husband of Linda Reinstein, co-founder of ADAO
2017: Honoring Barbara Boxer for championing the Toxic Substances Control Act reform legislation
2018: Honoring Emergency Responders and Caregivers
2019: “Progress and Challenges from the Frontlines”
2020/2021: BADGES poster “Art, Advocacy, and Academia” presented visual examples of how ADAO members are graphically conveying the harm caused by asbestos to the public and congress
2022: “Art, Advocacy and Action” featuring the first-ever ADAO trip to Louisiana to research the chlor-alkali plants using asbestos diaphragms, the communities they impact, and hold an education community meeting to raise awareness and prevention for all asbestos-caused diseases.