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LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
The following statement was issued today by Linda Reinstein, Co-Founder,
President CEO of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization,
regarding the 2012 United States Geological Survey report about the
dramatic increase in asbestos importation to the United States:
“As a Mesothelioma widow and asbestos awareness advocate, I was appalled
and shocked to discover today that the 2012 United States Geological
Survey (USGS) Mineral Commodity Summaries reported asbestos consumption
from January through July of 2011 to be 1,100 metric tons; however, when
comparing a previous report from January through July of 2010, asbestos
consumption was reported to be 820 metric tons. This difference of 280
metric tons represents a 25% increase in consumption. For more than
three decades, asbestos has been a known human carcinogen, yet
occupational and environmental exposure continues throughout the United
States.
The World Health Organization, International Labour Organization, United
States Environmental Protection Agency, and United States Surgeon
General all agree – there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. The EPA
estimates that “3,000 different types of commercial products contain
some amount of asbestos, and their use ranges from paper products and
brake linings to floor tiles and thermal insulation.�
The asbestos industry has argued for years that importation and exposure
was decreasing; however, we have discovered today that their argument
simply isn’t true. As the USGS asbestos report cited, “Roofing products
were estimated to account for about 60% of U.S. consumption; the
chloralkali industry about 35%; and unknown applications, 5%. All the
asbestos used in the United States was chrysotile.� More than 10,000
Americans die every year from asbestos-caused diseases such as
Mesothelioma, Asbestosis, and Lung Cancer.
On behalf of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), I am
calling on Congress and the President to immediately prohibit the
importation of raw asbestos and asbestos-containing products from
crossing our borders to protect public health. I have lost my husband
Alan to Mesothelioma, a disease caused from asbestos exposure. Nothing
can bring him or the hundreds of thousands of other victims back to
life, but we can begin by aggressively preventing exposure thus
eliminating deadly diseases.”
About Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
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 raise public awareness about
the dangers of asbestos exposure. ADAO is an independent global
organization dedicated to preventing asbestos-related diseases through
education, advocacy, and community. For more information, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)Doug LarkinDirector
of Communications202-391-1546doug@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org
Source: Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
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