The United States senate has designated the first week of April as “National Asbestos Awareness Week.�
We’d like to extend our thanks to Senator Max Bacus (D-MT), and cosponsors senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) for supporting this move.
“This designation continues to recognize the national tragedy created by the continued uncontrolled dissemination and use of products containing asbestos in the United States,� said former Assistant Surgeon General and Co-Chairman of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) Dr. Richard Lemen.
“While the most devastating asbestos related disease may be mesothelioma, we should not forget the much larger number of lung cancers that arise from asbestos exposure, the interactions with smoking, and the many other cancers such as GI, larynx and kidney that can also arise. Also, asbestosis continues to affect many who have been exposed to asbestos over the years,� said Co-chairman of the ADAO Science Advisory Board and Chairman of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at Drexel University, Dr. Arthur L. Frank in an ADAO announcement (PDF).
“The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization commends the U.S. Senate and the bi-partisan cosponsors of this important resolution for their continued leadership in addressing this preventable public health crisis,� said Executive Director of the ADAO, Linda Reinstein. “In particular, ADAO commends the Senate for including an amendment that urges the U.S. Surgeon General to warn and educate people that asbestos exposure may be hazardous to their health.�
To celebrate, the ADAO is planning to hold its third annual conference and remembrance service at the Drexel University School of Public Health over the next two days (March 31- April 1).
