"Technology has come a long way in the past few years and so has ADAO"  

by Herman Hamilton

Over the past months, I've been working with Zeel TV to finalize editing of our 2011 ADAO Asbestos Awareness Conference presentations and interviews. The feedback ADAO has received from this year's conference has been overwhelming, and the demand so high, that we're proud to announce that the entire conference is now available for viewing on YouTube.

The video collection includes more than 30 videos, where you can watch world renowned doctors, scientists and experts in their fields from 5 countries, right on your computer. Topics include the impact of asbestos on public health, the environment and the economy with most videos running about 15 minutes long.   

None of this would have been possible without people like Matthew from Zeel TV , Marilyn who is a loyal ADAO volunteer, and the generous support of our 2011 sponsors . I'd like to give a huge thanks to each and every one of them. ADAO is already planning our 2012 Conference and is looking forward to another great event next year! Your feedback is not only welcome but encouraged!

Hope to hear from you soon. Herman Hamilton, Executive Assistant, ADAO Herman@AsbestosDiseaseAwareness.org  

View the 2011 ADAO Asbestos Awareness Conference Agenda with hyperlinks to presentations and interviews on YouTube 

New Play: "The Translator's Dilemma' Raising Asbestos Awareness on an International Stage" by Ross Barber

The Translator's Dilemma has received positive reviews thus far and has been described as "surprising, shocking and informative," and an "amazing production" with audience members crediting the informative aspect of the piece as playing a key part in their reception and enjoyment of the production.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the biggest arts festival in the world and Scandal Theatre  is pleased to have the opportunity to present a play about such an important issue on an international scale. The play's aim is to promote awareness of the dangers that asbestos still poses today and hopes to inspire social change while doing so.

The play is supported by an international network of asbestos organizations and charities including ADAO and The Clydebank Asbestos Group based in Glasgow, UK. Scandal Theatre is incredibly grateful to these organizations and their associated networks who have provided great encouragement and sponsorship, which has allowed them to showcase their work on an international stage.

Catch The Translator's Dilemma for free at Princes Mall, venue number 203 in Edinburgh, Scotland August 8th -15thand 19th- 27th at 1:00 p.m. Further information can be found on my ADAO guest blog.  http://www.scandaltheatre.com 

ADAO Facebook Page      The Translator's Dilemma Facebook Page 

"Breathtaking" - A First-Ever Cyber Screening on September 26th

by Kathleen Mullen

Thanks to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), my documentary, Breathtaking will be screened for everyone who has a computer and internet access on September 26th at 6:30 pm EST. It is a special initiative to present the entire film digitally via the web screening so the entire world can watch for free. This first-ever cyber screening will begin with an introduction from me and a live Q&A after the documentary. 

Breathtaking follows my journey as I investigate my father's death from Mesothelioma, an asbestos-related disease, and Canada's explicit role in domestically mining, and internationally exporting, the dangerous fiber. The film addresses the politics of the continuing asbestos trade, and answers some questions while posing others. 

Breathtaking has been screened in theatres across North America where labor, health and film groups have taken notice of the issues of asbestos and the devastating effects this disease has on people worldwide. I hope the screening will be a platform for discussion and a vehicle for awareness about this deadly mineral. I hope you'll join me for this landmark event!

Candle Lighting in Honor and Remembrance of Asbestos Victims on September 30th

SARNIA: The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is proud to partner with the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Inc. (OHCOW), the Victims of Chemical Valley, and Stacy Cattran and Leah Nielsen, to hold a Candle Light Vigil on Friday, September 30th, 2011. The Vigil will begin at 6:30 p.m. (EST) at the Victims of Chemical Valley Memorial in Centennial Park in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. 

The Vigil will honor victims of asbestos with the candle lighting and a moment of remembrance. We ask that those attending bring a candle, and, if you wish, a picture of your loved one to be posted.

VIRTUALLY: This event is one of unity for the global asbestos-affected community. We recognize not everyone will be able to travel to Sarnia, so we invite you to participate in the Virtual Candle Lighting at 7:30 p.m. (EST). Here you can join us in our moment of remembrance by lighting a candle in your loved ones' honor and/or light a candle online that will remain lit for 48 hours.  

"Future of Quebec Asbestos Industry Still Unknown"

by Kathleen Ruff

The deadline of August 15 draws nearer. The Quebec government has told the consortium of investors, who want to buy the Jeffrey underground asbestos mine at Asbestos, that they must come up with their $25 million by that date. The government has already promised to give the consortium a $58 million loan guarantee, but the consortium has, over the past eight months, failed to raise the necessary funds on their part and the government has said that it will not extend the deadline any further.

If the consortium succeeds in implementing its plan, it will export millions of tonnes of asbestos to Asia for the next several decades. But the asbestos industry no longer enjoys the widespread support it used to enjoy in Quebec and, in the face of public and political opposition, the consortium has clearly had huge difficulty in finding sufficient willing investors.

Meanwhile, at the town of Thetford Mines, the last operating asbestos mine in Canada, run by LAB Chrysotile Inc, has been experiencing a variety of problems, including a brief labour walk-out and mining difficulties due to weather and land slides that have ruptured and closed the road, which is used to transport asbestos from the mine.

In spite of these difficulties, it appears that the company and the local United Steelworkers union have plans to expand the mine into a new area and continue exporting asbestos for years to come. Opposition to the asbestos industry is growing in Canada. Medical and health professionals have spoken up loud and clear, opposing plans to revive the Quebec asbestos industry. The Canadian Labour Congress has challenged the Canadian government to put people's lives ahead of politics and end its support for the deadly asbestos export trade.

Now, the voices of families who have lost loved ones to asbestos disease are starting to be heard more and more. Their message is powerful and it reaches people's hearts. It is they who will defeat the asbestos industry and our Canadian government, which has so shamefully sold out to the asbestos lobby.

It is through their human stories and their inspiring and selfless courage that the battle will be won so that we can prevent any further asbestos tragedies.

Kathleen Ruff, author, Exporting Harm: How Canada markets asbestos to the developing world http://www.rideauinstitute.ca/file-library/exportingharmweb.pdf 

"ADAO's Global Reach Continues"  

by Lisa Harty

It has been just 6 months since I attended the ADAO Asbestos Awareness Conference in Atlanta, where I came not as an asbestos victim, but as someone who understands loss and wants to raise awareness. In just this month, I have seen the momentum for asbestos awareness and community action growing because of your involvement in ADAO! I am excited to join the first ADAO global documentary screening of "Breathtaking" on September 26th at 6:30 pm EST via the internet. During these next few months, I want to share some of ADAO's resources and events with you, so together we may advance global education, advocacy and community.

Some of these events and resources are the Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW), April 1-7, next year, which dedicates a week to raising awareness about this deadly carcinogen. Just as in years past, leaders across many disciplines will make academic contributions to help ADAO continue the mission of education, advocacy and support.

I am continually inspired by the way the ADAO community utilizes the resources provided through these events and turning anger into action, and look forward to joining you all in this critical movement.

It was shocking and saddening to see the tons upon tons of chrysotile pilings that were as high as mountains. Worse yet, I can only imagine the tons of asbestos that continues to be mined and exported to developing nations. The mines continue to operate even in the face of increasing opposition to the asbestos industry by Canadian citizens.

Despite over a hundred years of asbestos mining, and overwhelming medical data linking asbestos exposure with a host of fatal diseases, lack of awareness about the dangers of asbestos is still prevalent in Canada and around the world.

View pictures of the still-active Jeffrey, Black Lake, and King Mines on Facebook

Links:

Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, Lung function in asbestos-exposed workers, a systematic review andmeta-analysis 

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Ored to Deatth, by Aasif Mandvi