Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is the largest independent nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure, eliminating asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, and protecting asbestos victims' civil rights through education, advocacy and community initiatives.[1] (ADAO) was founded by Linda Reinstein and Doug Larkin in 2004 and is headquartered in Redondo Beach, California. It is led by three boards (Board of Directors, Science Advisory Board, and Prevention Advisory Board), as well as a nationwide State Leadership Team made up of asbestos victims and advocates. Linda Reinstein, ADAO President and Co-Founder, has been invited to and presented at legislative hearings and medical symposiums in more than 20 countries including being invited to testify before the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.[2]

Other events and programs

In addition to the conference, ADAO annually hosts the "Global Asbestos Awareness Week" from April 1–7. Since 2005, the U.S. Senate has unanimously passed National Asbestos Awareness Resolutions.

Embracing traditional and new media, ADAO's strategic storytelling has served as model for non-state actor communications.

Using art and advocacy, ADAO has worked with national and international artists in TV, film, photography, and music.

ADAO has produced numerous PSAs to increase awareness, prevent exposure, and shape policy. The USA is the only western industrialized nation not to ban asbestos.[3][4]

In 2017, ADAO published a family centric PSA video in collaboration with Firdaus Kharas, an environmental regulation PSA in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and an ad with Barbara Minty McQueen, widow of American film star Steve McQueen, which was screened alongside documentary "Steve McQueen: American Icon", reaching over 100,000 audience members nationwide.

Since 2015, ADAO has sponsored a special photography exhibit called "BADGES: A Memorial Tribute to Asbestos Workers." This exhibit features vintage ID badges along with the brilliant work of photographer Earl Dotter and has been set up to honor to legacy of Dr. Irving J. Selikoff. The 2017 iteration of BADGES honored the work of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, a longtime champion of ADAO's ban asbestos efforts.

See also

References

  1. ↑ ADAO Guidestar reference page, linked on May 7, 2015
  2. ↑ An Examination of the Health Effects of Asbestos and Methods of Mitigating Such Impacts, June 8, 2007, Committee Agenda
  3. ↑ "Asbestos bans around the world". Asbestos Nation. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  4. ↑ "Why asbestos is still used around the world". Chemistry World. The Royal Society of Chemistry. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
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