ADAO Congratulates the Acting U.S. Surgeon General, Steven K. Galson, and Thanks the U.S. Senate for Efforts to Encourage Warning About Asbestos Dangers

Recently Discovered Surgeon General Statement Underscores Need for Full Asbestos
Ban
REDONDO BEACH, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) today announced its support
for the Surgeon General`s statement acknowledging the dangers of asbestos and
thanks the U.S. Senate for continued efforts to encourage a warning. The
discovery of the April 1, 2009 acting U.S. Surgeon General statement is greatly
appreciated by ADAO, who has always encouraged an official warning about
asbestos dangers, as recommended by a U.S. Senate Resolution establishing the
first week of April as "National Asbestos Awareness Week." The statement
specifies: "I urge every American to become aware of the public health issues of
asbestos exposure and the steps they can take to protect their health." It also
underscores the need for a ban, stating, "…there is no level of asbestos
exposure that is known to be safe and minimizing your exposure will minimize
your risk of developing asbestos-related disease."

"The United States Senate`s Resolution urging the Surgeon General to issue a
warning, `as a public health issue, to warn and educate people that asbestos
exposure may be hazardous to their health`, was a landmark step to preventing
exposure and deaths," stated Linda Reinstein, ADAO Executive Director. "As a
mesothelioma widow, I am pleased to see the Surgeon General`s statement, as
asbestos has been a known carcinogen for more than thirty years. ADAO is excited
to be able to advance educational efforts with his statement, which strongly
reaffirms the need to ban asbestos."

Every reputable United States and international health agency including the
Environmental Protection Agency, the World Health Organization, the
International Labor Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health, and the American Cancer Society agree there is
no safe level of asbestos exposure. Most recently, the International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC) reconfirmed that all commercial asbestos fibers -
including chrysotile, the most commercially used form of asbestos - cause lung
cancer and mesothelioma. In addition, the IARC newly confirmed that there is
sufficient evidence that asbestos causes ovarian cancer and reconfirmed asbestos
causes laryngeal cancer. ADAO continues to serve as the leading voice pushing
for a full ban on this lethal mineral.

To read the Surgeon General`s full statement, please visit:
www.surgeongeneral.gov/news/pressreleases/pr20090401.html.

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 a united voice
to help ensure that their rights are fairly represented and protected, and raise
public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and the often deadly
asbestos related diseases. ADAO is funded through voluntary contributions and
staffed by volunteers. For more information visit
www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.

Media Contact:
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
Doug Larkin
Director of Communications
Cell: 202-391-1546
doug@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009