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Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
June Newsletter |
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As summer approaches, the asbestos issue moves ever closer to the forefront of health safety discussions. Below you'll see how Californians can make a difference this week and help Drop the Rock.
So far in 2010, ADAO has made three trips to Washington, DC, met with more than 40 Congressional offices, the EPA, the White House and testified before OSHA. We are beginning to see the fruits of our labor. Not only nationally, but internationally. In April, ADAO had the honor to present at the 11th Inter-American Congress on Prevention of Occupation Risks in Mexico City. This international conference discussed various safety concerns, including the work of Dr. Guadalupe Aguilar-Madrid, esteemed researcher and asbestos ban advocate. She is calling on the Mexican Government to ban asbestos and take measures to tackle the epidemic of asbestos-related diseases. Read more about the asbestos crisis in Mexico. We feel optimistic as both national and international forces join us in the fight to ban asbestos, coupled with deminishing industry opposition, we see a ban in the future. In Unity,
Linda Reinstein, CEO and Co-Founder |
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California Needs to Drop the Rock
For the past three years we've been meeting with State Representatives in order to bring attention to the fact that serpentine - the host rock of asbestos - is California's state rock. In 1965, serpentine was designated as the state rock to promote the asbestos mining industry. ADAO believes that serpentine no longer serves a purpose as the state rock. With the asbestos mining industry no longer operating in California, the rock symbolizes trauma and victimization of those affected by asbestos.
By Friday, June 4, please call your Californian Assembly Member and request his/her support for SB 624 to remove serpentine as the official state rock of California. Get the details online. Find your Californian Assembly Member. |
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Asbestos: Impact on Public Health, Environment and Economy
 As Congress considers the Toxic Substances Control Act discussion draft, we have continued to work with leadership and staff toward the framing of an act to deal with this long overdue issue, once and for all, educate the public on the impact of asbestos on public health, the environment, and the economy. ADAO strongly believes that this legislation should immediately prohibit the use of asbestos, thereby substantially decreasing public and workplace exposures and ending the occurrence of asbestos-caused diseases.
Currently, the U.S. Senate has introduced S 3209 and U.S. House of Representatives is reviewing their Toxic Substances Control discussion draft, both to reform TSCA. More than 50 countries worldwide have banned asbestos. We remain hopeful that the United States will take its rightful leadership role in the mitigation of asbestos-related diseases and in the fulfillment of WHO (World Health Organization) goals for eliminating preventable asbestos-related diseases and deaths. |
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Remembering June Breit
 In April 2010, ADAO recognized June Breit posthumously with the Alan Reinstein Memorial Tribute. June will forever be remembered for her courage, persistence, and never-ending commitment to banning asbestos and raising awareness. After seven years of treatment for malignant mesothelioma, June lost her courageous battle in late 2009. Even though she is no longer with us, June has called on us all to continue the fight. View the video or read June's ADAO Asbestos Awareness Conference Program page. |
Important Upcoming Educational Events:
International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma
Washington, DC - June 10-12, 2010
The International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma, organized by the Meso Foundation, is a three-day conference for the entire meso community, including patients, their families, caregivers and advocates.
Register today to learn about mesothelioma treatment options from meso experts from across the world; have your voice heard on Capitol Hill; meet, connect and share experiences and support with other mesothelioma patients and their family members; or connect with others who have lost a loved one to meso. Join the Meso Foundation at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC on June 10-12. For more information, please visit www.curemeso.org/symposium. |
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International Mesothelioma Interest Groups' 10th Scientific Meeting
Kyoto, Japan - Aug 31 - Sep 3, 2010
This 10th IMIG meeting will be an exciting opportunity for internationally renowned professionals in the field of asbestos cancer research to share the most up-to-date information regarding scientific developments and advances and to discuss emerging issues and controversial topics. Fourteen educational sessions and more than 30 keynote lectures by specialists from around the world will be provided, covering a wide range of disciplines. www.congre.co.jp/imig2010/welcome.html |
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