Wow, what a month! April is always an exciting month for us, starting with April 1-7, as Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW), officially designated again by another U.S. Senate Resolution. This year marks 18 years of GAAW and striving to raise awareness, facilitate prevention, and build community. More people than ever before have heard our message and, more importantly, recognized the importance of sharing it with others. We are grateful to our “Partners for Prevention.” Thanks to them, we were able to feature amazing art and advocacy efforts as well.
In other news, we eagerly anticipate the “Asbestos Right To Know” propose rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requiring the U.S. industry to report on asbestos imports, use, and exposure under Section 8 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The proposal implements a landmark June 7, 2021 settlement agreement between EPA and ADAO that ended a nearly three-year-long legal battle waged by ADAO and its partners under Section 21 of TSCA. The proposal is the first step toward industry accountability.
Following the release of EPA’s proposed Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos Risk Management rule under TSCA, there have been many questions. In short, the proposed rule would ban the importation of raw chrysotile asbestos and chrysotile-containing products for six conditions of use, but this is not a comprehensive asbestos ban. We invite you to read and share our FAQ document for more information.
We applaud the Collegium Ramazzini for sending their letter to Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Suzanne Bonamici, voicing their support of our “on-going efforts towards passage of the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act. ” We are grateful that such an incredible academy, one dedicated to preventing disease and saving lives, would take the time to urge Congress to pass an asbestos ban here in the United States.
We have new media to announce! Congratulations to Eric Jonckheere, an incredible anti-asbestos advocate, on the publication of his book, “Asbestos: My War with the Devil’s Dust.” The book details his family’s tragic experience with the deadly carcinogen. Separately, a new HBO Max Docuseries shines a light on the dangers of asbestos-contaminated cosmetics products, something that ADAO has been writing about since 2007. Learn more about the “Not So Pretty” series here.
Looking forward, I am thrilled and honored to once again be presenting at the III International Seminar on Asbestos: An Approach to Health Surveillance, which will take place from May 4th – 6th, 2022, in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. I hold my Brazilian colleagues in the highest regard, and cannot wait to continue fighting together for a safer future for us all.
Sincerely,
Linda
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