Newswise — "National Asbestos Awareness Day" on April 1, 2006 successfully united physicians, researchers, policymakers, advocates and victims of asbestos-related disease at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. This day, officially recognized by Senate Resolution 402, introduced by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), brought together a distinguished panel of speakers to explore the most recent information about global human health risks, research and treatment options related to asbestos exposure. This important event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) and the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Asbestos is one of the most deadly substances found in nature, yet it continues to be mined and exported from countries like Canada and Russia to developing nations with far less ability to regulate human exposure than their industrialized counterparts. Roughly 10,000 Americans per year die of cancer caused by asbestos. One of out every 125 deaths of men over the age of 50 is caused from asbestos.
"We applaud Senator Reid's leadership in establishing April 1 as 'National Asbestos Awareness Day.' Participants in the 2006 forum agreed that it is now time to build on this critical momentum to further protect the public from the risks to health and the economic impact of asbestos exposure worldwide," said Linda Reinstein, Executive Director, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. "We will therefore work towards furthering Senator Reid's important work, to expand awareness efforts to eliminate deadly asbestos exposure."
"Most importantly," said Joel Shufro, Executive Director of NYCOSH, "we must create an alliance between victims, workers, researchers, educators and activists that will further the important work started by National Asbestos Awareness Day. We have an urgent need to work together and prevent business interests from passing legislation that would cheat victims of just compensation, to ensure that asbestos regulations are vigorously enforced and to ban all use and importation of asbestos, just as the European Community has already done."
During the month of April ADAO, NYCOSH and Mount Sinai propose to disseminate widely, the health protective information shared at the Annual Asbestos Awareness Day Conference on April 1st; to build upon the integration of science, policy and advocacy to strengthen standards for asbestos regulation; to generate more support for the U.S. ban of international asbestos manufacture; and to engage in science-based advocacy during the 17th Annual Workers Memorial Day to be held on April 28th.
"Asbestos continues to make thousands of Americans sick each year as older buildings degrade, natural disasters spew deadly particles into the air, and as we face the long-term health consequences of 9/11 and the ongoing threat of terrorism," stated Dr. Philip Landrigan, Chairman of Mount Sinai's Department of Community & Preventive Medicine. "The time has never been more critical to provide much needed education and support to the victims and families of asbestos related disease."
About Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families. 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 organization funded through voluntary contributions and staffed by volunteers. For more information visit http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org
About Mount Sinai School of MedicineMount Sinai School of Medicine is internationally recognized as a leader in ground-breaking clinical and basic-science research, as well as innovative approaches to medical education. Mount Sinai ranks ninth among the nation's 125 medical schools in the percentage of graduates who go on to faculty positions in medical schools across the country.
About New York Committee for Occupational Safety and HealthNYCOSH is a non-profit provider of occupational safety and health training, advocacy and information to workers and unions throughout the New York metropolitan area with a membership consisting of union members, health and safety activists, injured workers, healthcare workers, attorneys, public health advocates, environmentalists and concerned citizens.http://www.nycosh.org
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