2009-11-11 23:59:03 -

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) applauds the American Public Health Association (APHA), the largest and most diverse public health organization in the world. APHA adopted a resolution calling on Congress to pass legislation banning the manufacture, sale, export, or import of asbestos containing products including products in which asbestos is a contaminant. Asbestos, a known carcinogen, annually claims the

lives of more than 10,000 Americans.

"With this new policy, APHA is joining the World Federation of Public Health Associations and other international organizations calling for a global ban on asbestos mining, and manufacturing, and the dangerous practice of exporting asbestos containing products," said Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH, Chair of APHA's Occupational Health and Safety section. "As the World Health Organization noted in 2006, the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos related diseases is to stop using all types of asbestos."


“ADAO applauds APHA for passage of the landmark Elimination of Asbestos Resolution,” said Linda Reinstein, Executive Director and Co-founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. “APHA set a precedent with strong language aimed at preventing asbestos exposure to eliminate deadly diseases. Ambler, Pennsylvania – now a superfund site – is still plagued from asbestos piles left behind from the once profitable asbestos businesses. We can’t let history repeat itself – it is time to ban asbestos and fund educational and research programs. APHA renews our optimism that a federal asbestos ban is eminent.”

About Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)


Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to help ensure that their rights are fairly represented and protected, while raising public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and often deadly asbestos related diseases. ADAO is an independent volunteer organization. For more information visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org : .

About the American Public Health Association (APHA)


Founded in 1872, the APHA is the oldest, largest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world. The association aims to protect all Americans and their communities from preventable, serious health threats and strives to assure community-based health promotion and disease prevention activities and preventive health services are universally accessible in the United States. APHA represents a broad array of health providers, educators, environmentalists, policy-makers and health officials at all levels working both within and outside governmental organizations and educational institutions. More information is available at www.apha.org : .


Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)Doug LarkinDirector

of Communications202-391-1546 doug@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org : mailto:doug@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org orAmerican
Public Health AssociationCeleste Monforton, DrPH, MPHChair,

Occupational Health & Safety Section202-994-0774 celeste.monforton@gwumc.edu : mailto:celeste.monforton@gwumc.edu