Global Asbestos Awareness Week

1. Global Asbestos Awareness Week: Kick Off Apr 2, 2012 2012 marks the eight year for Asbestos Awareness Week. Thanks to the efforts of hard-working organizations, like the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), asbestos awareness has been growing. And people have been fighting back. But despite all of the progress that has been made, more work needs to be done. Asbestos is still not banned in the United States. Asbestos is still being mined and exported from Canada, though the country has banned its use at home. India continues to import and use high amounts of asbestos. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hundreds of millions of people around the world are still exposed to asbestos through their jobs. And with the material‟s continued use, people will continue to suffer from asbestos diseases, such as mesothelioma, in the coming decades. Throughout this week, we will be standing with ADAO to help raise asbestos awareness. We will be providing useful information to those suffering from asbestos diseases, their families and others who are interested in learning more about the asbestos health crisis, so check back every day this week for more information. You can also keep up with us through our Facebook page or Twitter account and join in the conversation. The mesothelioma law firm of Baron and Budd is a proud sponsor of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) and Asbestos Awareness Week. The firm has dedicated more than 30 years to protecting the rights of mesothelioma patients and their families. Global Asbestos Awareness Week: April 1: Candlelight Vigil and 7 Reasons for 7 Days April 2: Global Asbestos Awareness Week Launch April 3: Statement from the U.S. Surgeon General April 4: British Lung Foundation April 5: Workers Safety April 6: Landmark Italian Criminal Asbestos Trial April 7: Communication, Collaboration and Action from ADAO

2. Global Asbestos Awareness Week: U.S. Surgeon General Apr 3, 2012 In 2009, the office of the U.S. Surgeon General urged every American to become more aware of the dangers of asbestos exposure and to take steps to protect their health. ADAO met with the Surgeon General on March 26. During their meeting, ADAO presented a compelling and education slideshow on the dangers of asbestos. You can view the slideshow here. In the U.S. alone, more than 10,000 people die each year from asbestos diseases, including mesothelioma cancer. Despite the proven medical link between asbestos and mesothelioma, banning the use of asbestos in the United States has been a difficult process. In the 1990s, many countries adopted bans on the use and importation of asbestos, except for the U.S. and Canada. Today, asbestos is banned in more than 55 countries, including all 25 nations in the European Union. Yet, the U.S. and Canada remain the only developed nations that have not passed a ban. Why no ban you ask? Well, there was one…sort of. In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Asbestos Ban and Phase Out Rule. However, seeing this as a serious threat to profits, some companies sued, and the rule was later overturned by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1991. Despite this, a short list of asbestos products remain banned under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Clean Air Act. These products include: Corrugated paper Rollboard Commercial paper Specialty paper Flooring felt New uses of asbestos As a result of the Asbestos Ban and Phase Out Rule being overturned, the following asbestos– containing products are not banned in the U.S.:

3. Asbestos-cement corrugated sheet Asbestos-cement flat sheet Asbestos clothing Pipeline wrap Roofing felt Vinyl-asbestos floor tile Asbestos-cement shingle Millboard Asbestos-cement pipe Automatic transmission components Clutch facings Friction materials Disc brake pads Drum brake linings Brake blocks Gaskets Non-roofing coatings Roof coatings Baron and Budd is a sponsor of Global Asbestos Awareness Week and a 2012 platinum sponsor the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organziation.