October 23, 2025 ADAO Letter to President Trump — Formal Demand for Disclosure of All Environmental and Worker-Safety Documentation Related to the East Wing Demolition 

BLOG White House East Wing Demolition: A Teachable Moment for Asbestos Transparency, Prevention, and Safety by Lindsay Dahl and Linda Reinstein 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 October 22, 2025

WHITE HOUSE EAST WING DEMOLITION RAISES ALARMS OVER TRANSPARENCY OF ASBESTOS PROTECTIONS  AND WORKER SAFETY

ADAO Calls on the White House to Publish All Safety, Inspection Reports and Demonstrate Its Commitment to Prevention, Accountability, and Public Health

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the largest U.S. nonprofit dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure through education, advocacy, and community initiatives, is calling for immediate transparency and strict compliance with federal safety laws following news that the entire historic East Wing of the White House will be demolished.

The demolition, which began on Monday, is part of a privately funded initiative commissioned by Donald Trump to build a ballroom and has sparked growing concern over potential asbestos exposure risks to workers, staff, and visitors. ADAO is calling for the administration to immediately release full information on its compliance with all required environmental safety measures during the ongoing demolition and reaffirm its commitment to prevention, accountability, and the protection of public health in all federal construction projects.

“Every building of this age must undergo full asbestos inspection and abatement before any demolition begins. The White House should be the national model for transparency, compliance, and worker safety, not an exception to the rules,” said Linda Reinstein, President and Co-Founder of ADAO. “We lose 40,000 Americans every year to asbestos-related diseases. If the People’s House cannot follow OSHA and EPA regulations, how can we expect private industry to do so? Prevention and transparency save lives.”

Originally constructed in 1902 with major additions in 1942, the East Wing was built during a period of extensive asbestos use in government buildings. Photos circulating online have raised alarm about whether federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for preventing unsafe exposure to this extremely hazardous substance are being followed.

Federal standards require:

  • A complete asbestos inspection by certified professionals before demolition or renovation.
  • Written notification to the authorities prior to work.
  • Proper containment and safe removal of asbestos-containing materials.
  • Worker protection measures, including respirators, training, and medical surveillance.
  • Proper labeling, transport, and disposal of hazardous waste.

“Given the East Wing’s age and construction history, there is a real possibility that asbestos-containing materials are present,” said Bob Sussman, former EPA Deputy Administrator and Policy Advisor to the Administrator. “Transparency is critical to protect building occupants and visitors as well as office workers, tourists, and passersby in the vicinity of the White House who may be exposed; our health and safety laws demand nothing less. The public deserves assurance that all EPA and OSHA protections are being enforced and that no worker or visitor faces hidden health risks.”

“Leadership isn’t only about how we build, it’s about how we protect. The White House should immediately disclose inspection summaries, air monitoring results, and abatement certifications to demonstrate compliance with federal law. Anything less undermines public trust and worker safety,” Reinstein concluded.