October was a busy month here at the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, and we wouldn’t have it any other way! We have a lot in the works for November, and we remind you all that the season of giving is approaching.
ADAO is a small, grassroots organization that has a huge impact. Over nearly 20 years, we have created a community of thousands of people worldwide who have been affected by asbestos, making sure that no one who is fighting an asbestos-caused illness is fighting alone. We have fought the EPA in court and won, setting new precedents and forcing the EPA to uphold its promise to safeguard the health of all Americans. We have created educational resources and spoken at seminars, colleges around the world, and we yet again hosted a successful, and free, conference this September. We believe that there should be no barrier to accessing life-saving information when it comes to asbestos. Your support will help us continue this work and help us fight for a ban bill, which would finally protect our nation from asbestos. We hope you’ll consider joining us on Giving Tuesday, November 28th, or by donating in honor of a loved one.
ADAO is thrilled to announce that New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, acting on behalf of the trustees of the New York City Fire Pension Fund and New York City Police Pension Fund, has penned a letter to Occidental Petroleum Corporation, the parent company of OxyChem. OxyChem is the last remaining member of the chlor-alkali industry that still imports asbestos to the U.S. The compelling letter strongly urges the company to commit to stopping imports of asbestos and to accelerating its transition towards non-asbestos technology. As of September 1, 2023, the Police and Fire Pension Funds collectively hold $61 million worth of OxyChem securities. ADAO is honored that Comptroller Lander mentioned ADAO’s September report, 2023 Comprehensive Asbestos Report: The Analysis of Imports, Use, Impact on Human Health, and Current Regulations and Policy, in his letter. This report highlighted important statistics and data, including information about the heightened risk firefighters and first responders have to asbestos.
On October 25, EPA published the list of seven scientific experts selected to review the “2023 White Paper on the Quantitative Human Health Approach to be Applied in the Risk Evaluation for Asbestos Part 2” under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The selection of Dr. Dennis Paustenbach as a peer reviewer for EPA’s important Part 2 risk evaluation has raised concerns within the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). We earnestly urge the EPA to reconsider Dr. Paustenbach's appointment and select a replacement who can fulfill this role without conflicts of interest — read more about our concerns and our requests here.
Every October we celebrate Health Literacy Month, and as we move into November, we shift our focus to Lung Cancer Awareness Month. ADAO is presenting five ways in which you can learn more about asbestos and asbestos-related illnesses, preventions, and treatment.
Australians dedicate the last week in November every year to asbestos awareness, education, and remembrance of those who have lost their lives from preventable asbestos-caused diseases. This year, we will again honor this week in solidarity by sharing stories of those impacted by these deadly, yet preventable, diseases during November 20-26, 2023.
Again, we hope you will keep us in mind as you begin thinking about your donations this holiday season. We would not be where we are without our generous donors and supporters like you, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Linda Reinstein
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Greg Russell, International Association of Fire Fighters
"Remembering the Fallen: Fire Fighters, Asbestos, and Advocacy"
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Asbestos Awareness and Action |
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Global Asbestos and Mesothelioma Calendar |
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