The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, or ADAO, is one of the world’s leading advocacy groups working on behalf of mesothelioma victims. This morning, the non-profit, launched the 20th annual “Global Asbestos Awareness Week”, being celebrated from April 1st through April 7th.
Preventing Asbestos Exposure and Stopping Mesothelioma is ADAO’s Mission
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization is an independent non-profit co-founded by Linda Reinstein after losing her husband Alan to mesothelioma. In the 20 years since its founding, the group has become a global leader in combining education, advocacy, and community initiatives to prevent and end asbestos exposure. For this year’s awareness week, the group is partnering with the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health and the British Occupational Hygiene Society, as well as other international groups, to inform the public about the ongoing threats posed by the carcinogenic material.
Speaking of their mission, Linda Reinstein says, “Asbestos kills. It is more important than ever before that people know the dangers of asbestos are not a thing of the past and understand how to protect themselves from asbestos exposure in their homes, schools, workplaces, and from products we find on store shelves.”
Awareness Week Coincides with EPA Rule Banning One Asbestos Fiber
Though most people know that asbestos causes mesothelioma, Ms. Reinstein says it is important to continue raising awareness of its risk, especially in light of the EPA’s recent rule banning one fiber in six conditions of use. Though this is a step in the right direction, she worries that people believe this rule eliminates asbestos in the United States entirely — it does not. Ms. Reinstein says, “Global Asbestos Awareness Week is the perfect time to educate Americans and the world about why this rule does not go far enough, and why we still need Congress to pass a ban.”
Ms. Reinstein explains that this year’s event will focus on banning the mining, manufacturing, and use of all six asbestos fibers worldwide; preventing asbestos exposure; increasing compliance and enforcement of existing laws and regulations; and strengthening international partnerships to protect public health. She says that though 70 countries have banned asbestos, the United States is not one of them and that now is the time for the U.S. Congress to pass the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act and completely ban asbestos in the United States.
The Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net support the efforts of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, and we are here to help anybody who has been affected by exposure to asbestos. For more information, contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
