U.S. Surgeon General Issues Statement on the Dangers of Asbestos in Support of National Asbestos Awareness Week
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)Doug LarkinDirector of Communications202-391-1546
The (ADAO) applauds Surgeon General Regina Benjamin’s statement today that “… there is no level of asbestos exposure that is known to be completely safe.” ADAO joins her in urging “all Americans to learn about the dangers of asbestos exposure and to understand the steps they can take to protect their health.”
Since 2004, ADAO has been working with Congress and the White House to prevent asbestos exposure in efforts to eliminate deadly asbestos-related diseases. The 9 annual , designating April 1 – 7 as includes a chilling list of facts about the dangers of asbestos. “Asbestos is deadly. It does not think; it just kills. This so-called miracle mineral gets into your body and doesn’t show itself for years,” said , a 28-year-old mesothelioma patient. Each day of Asbestos Awareness Week features guest blogs, important asbestos facts and patient stories like Michael’s.
“More than 10,000 Americans die every year from preventable diseases, yet exposure continues. It is unacceptable to have , , or ” stated Linda Reinstein, ADAO Co-Founder and President. “The time is now for Congress to begin the steps to reduce and eventually stop asbestos imports and ban asbestos. Fifty-five countries have banned asbestos but the U.S. is not one of them. Millions of tons of asbestos remain in US homes, schools, offices, and factories. The (USGS) reported that in 2012, US asbestos consumption was 1,060 tons in order to meet ‘manufacturing needs.’ There is consensus from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, World Health Organization, International Labor Organization, and International Agency for Research on Cancer that asbestos is a carcinogen and there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos.”
ADAO is excited to present new information each day of the 2013 Asbestos Awareness Week campaign. Click here to read and share today’s message, .” ADAO is using social media to distribute the Surgeon General’s message on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn and sharing a week of asbestos and mesothelioma blogs and facts to save lives.
“Together, we can prevent the dangers associated with asbestos,” said Surgeon General Regina Benjamin.
To read the Surgeon General’s full statement, visit:
Thewas founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims a united voice to help ensure that their rights are fairly represented and protected, and raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and the often deadly asbestos-related diseases. ADAO is funded through voluntary contributions and staffed by volunteers. For more information, visit .