The Firm would like to personally thank Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and cosponsors for passing the tenth annual resolution establishing April 1 to 7 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week.” Senate Resolution 336 was passed on Jan. 16.
Since 2005, National Asbestos Awareness Week has taken place the first week of April as a designated time to raise public awareness about the dangers and prevalence of asbestos exposure. While asbestos use in the U.S. is regulated, it is not fully banned, and many people are unaware of its link to life-threatening diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
More than 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year. This fatal cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos, which, when disturbed and released into the air, can be toxic. If the fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lungs and over time cause serious health problems.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer with a long latency period. It can take 10, 20 or even 30 years after asbestos exposure before symptoms appear. Many times the cancer is fatal and there is no known cure.
Those of us at the Firm believe in the importance of National Asbestos Awareness Week as a way for the mesothelioma community to join together, share stories and proactively educate the public about the risks of asbestos. A majority of mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos at the workplace through no fault of their own, and Simmons Hanly Conroy is dedicated to helping these innocent victims stand up for their rights.
During National Asbestos Awareness Week this year, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization will hold its Tenth Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference from April 4 to 6. The event will take place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA and will feature more than 30 medical experts and asbestos victims from around the world. Topics to be discussed include the latest medical advancements for asbestos disease prevention, mesothelioma treatment advances and advocacy for a global ban on asbestos.
Additional information about National Asbestos Awareness Week, which runs April 1 to 7, can be found on the ADAO website.
