The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) — the largest national nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure — is hosting the inaugural Virtual Day of Action on March 23, 2023, across major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
The day will feature stories, educational posts, and more to show the truth about asbestos and advocate for legislation to officially ban the toxic substance.
Since its founding in 2004, ADAO has been committed to raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos, advocating for asbestos ban legislation, and protecting the victims of asbestos-related illnesses.
Unfortunately, asbestos is still used in the United States, and thousands of innocent people are continually put at risk every day. Because of the mineral’s long latency periods, many people may not even know they were exposed and at risk of developing serious asbestos-related illnesses such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
“For too long, asbestos-product manufacturers hid the dangers of asbestos from millions,” says Linda Reinstein, president of the ADAO and champion of the asbestos ban legislation. “That is why this Virtual Day of Action is so important — we will shed light on the truth.”
How You Can Help
Send a letter to Congress and ask for the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act to be reintroduced.
Send a Letter to Help Ban Asbestos
Veterans Exposed to Asbestos at Alarming Rates
Between the 1930s and late 1980s, asbestos was used so heavily because of its unique insulating, heat-proofing, and long-lasting properties.
Veterans were put at even higher risks of asbestos exposure. In fact, 1 in 3 mesothelioma diagnoses each year impact a U.S. Armed Forces veteran.
During this time, virtually every piece of military equipment was built with asbestos-containing products. Some people were at higher risk than others based on their station and work assignments.
The Navy used more asbestos-based products than any other military branch. As a result, U.S. Navy veterans represent the largest group of service members diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Military occupations that worked with asbestos nearly every day included:
- Aircraft and vehicle mechanics
- Boiler operators
- Carpenters
- Construction workers
- Demolition specialists
- Enginemen
- Floor and roof installers
- Heating system workers
- Hull technicians
- Insulation workers
- Machinist mates
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
- Shipfitters
- Shipyard workers
- Welders
However, even service members who did not hold a high-risk job may have been exposed to asbestos through secondhand exposure or by inhaling fibers lingering in the air.
After selflessly serving their country for years or even decades, veterans may still be fighting against the long-term effects of asbestos.
How You Can Help
Send a letter to Congress and ask for the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act to be reintroduced.
Send a Letter to Help Ban Asbestos
Show Your Support on the ADAO Virtual Day of Action
While this Asbestos Virtual Day of Action is the first of its kind, it follows decades of the ADAO supporting veterans through their fight against asbestos-related illnesses.
The ADAO was the driving force behind the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2022 (ARBAN), named after Linda’s late husband, who passed away of mesothelioma in 2006.
The bill, which has bipartisan support, is the most comprehensive ban-asbestos bill introduced in Congress in the past 30 years. Gathering further support for the bill is one of the main focuses of this year’s Virtual Day of Action.
The organization’s work is gaining more and more traction. On March 16, 2023, the EPA proposed a ban on chrysotile asbestos, which is the most commonly used type of asbestos.
“The EPA proposal to ban new uses of chrysotile asbestos, while a step toward the right direction, is still not a complete ban of asbestos,” says Linda Reinstein. “We must keep going forward to protect thousands of innocent people. That is why all of us at ADAO will continue pushing for a complete ban on the carcinogen and supporting those most in need.”
You can join the efforts this Virtual Day of Action by:
- Posting on social media with the #BanAsbestos tag
- Reposting ADAO educational posts about the dangers of asbestos on social media
- Sharing personal stories of how asbestos has impacted you and your family either on social media or with the ADAO
- Signing the Change.org petition to ban asbestos
- Urging family and loved ones to avoid asbestos or undergo routine screening if they were exposed
- Writing letters to Congressmembers urging them to support the ARBAN bill
The online conversation on March 23 is just the beginning. The campaign seeks to unite people in prioritizing the health and safety of communities and protecting loved ones from deadly asbestos exposure.
We at the Mesothelioma Veterans Center join these efforts today and strive to support veterans suffering from asbestos-related diseases.
