December eNewsletter

Will You Light A Candle for Asbestos Victims? by Herman Hamilton

  In the years that I've been with ADAO there is a single question that I've heard more than any other. People always ask, "But what can I do?" Some folks have the ability to do a lot by way of donation or devoting time, while others, not quite so much. There is something however that everybody, no matter their ability level, can do and that is to "Light a Candle!" The cost? Free! The time involved? Maybe a few minutes. It is your opportunity to not only be a part but to pay tribute to those lost or those suffering.

Since the inception of our Light a Candle campaign, countless numbers of candles have been lit from many countries. While candles only remain lit for 48 hours, the candle room has never been without numerous lit candles. Won't you take this opportunity to show your support and participation by lighting a candle, today?

                         Giving is An Action Word by Ann Samuelson

 To give is to answer a call to act, contribute to a worthy cause....to give is a verb.... an action word. The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization gives on a global scale literally daily by promoting awareness, education, and prevention through many social networking outlets, conferences, and something I call "active advocacy." Such activities require time, volunteer commitment, and money. ADAO is the voice of the victims, and more victims and families are impacted by asbestos related diseases every year. My father died of mesothelioma 29 years ago.  My "why" for contributing to this incredible organization is my hope that other daughters will not lose a parent to this horrible preventable disease. This holiday season, and throughout the year, please consider giving a monetary donation to ADAO. While the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization  has experienced tremendous growth in the last year, we need your donations to continue to move forward. Join us, contribute, and help us to continue to make a difference for victims, and to prevent victims in the future....  

ADAO Joins Forces to Protect Environmental and Occupational Health in India by Linda Reinstein 

I am so thankful for the opportunity to have attended and presented at two recent conferences in India: the Asian Ban Asbestos Network (A-BAN) Conference and the Asian Network for the Rights of Occupational and Environmental Victims (ANROEV)'s Annual Conference. These conferences brought together individuals from around the world to learn and share, and ADAO was honored to be in the presence of so many active and dedicated individuals in the environmental and occupational health fields. View my presentation from the A-Ban Conference, USA: Trends and Challeneges on Preventing Evironmental and Occupational Asbestos Exposure. To learn more about our collaboration and efforts to partner to even more effectively educate, advocate, and provide community support to our global community, read the full blog post here.

"Share Your Story"

Asbestos has Literally Flipped My World Upside Down by Larry Davis

Asbestos has literally flipped my world upside down. Never did I realize how harmful this so-called 'miracle mineral' would be. After 5 years of some of the worst pain I have ever felt, surgeries (almost too many to count) and extremely limited resources on how to stop this epidemic, I now advocate for other victims and research funding. I have spent the past few years talking to every politician who will listen, and some that won't, asking them to ban the United States' use of asbestos. It can still be found in everything from automotive parts to heating & cooling systems to construction to Military housing & building. Yes, we are no longer spreading asbestos in classrooms while the students sit there, but hundreds of unknowing people are exposed every day. As I await my next chemo session here at the University of Maryland Medical Center I continue to push others to work for relief from this deadly disease. I have signed numerous law firms to donate to my race the South Florida Miles for Meso, I have invited friends and physicians to help get out the word at my Health Symposium and I will not stop in my efforts. So you ask, 'How has asbestos changed my life'? It is an entirely new life. Never could I have imaged the choices I would have to make, all the hospitals & doctors I would visit, the politicians I would beg to sign legislation against using this carcinogen, and the pain it would cause.

What is Happening in Georgia? by Brent Kynoch, Managing Director, Environmental Information Association

On October 4, 2011, the Georgia Chapter of the Environmental Information Association (GaEIA) held its annual joint meeting with the Georgia Environmental Protection Department(GA EPD). During the meeting, representatives of GA EPD reported with dismay that it was likely the asbestos department of the GA EPD would be eliminated by the end of 2011 due to budget cuts. This would eliminate all asbestos inspectors, who make surprise visits to projects and make other visits based on complaints received. It is sad news indeed that state budget cuts will likely result in illegal and poor abatement practices by contractors that will go unpunished, while employees and the public suffer possible catastrophic exposures. Without a line-item budget item for the department, GA EPD will be required to introduce a Bill that will abolish the Asbestos Safety Act in Georgia. This is a massive backward step in public health and safety.

EIA has long held that our industry did not need more laws, but needed better enforcement of existing laws to assure that the public is protected from deadly asbestos fibers that exist in our nation's buildings. Without enforcement of laws that require inspections for asbestos prior to renovation or demolition, and laws that require proper asbestos abatement training and work practices, persons will most certainly be exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos. Is this really the type of budget cut that Georgia citizens should face? For more information, or to offer support, please contact the GaEIA President, Mark Hartz, at 706-262-2000 or email [email protected]