Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) Mourns the Passing of Montana Miner and Activist, Les Skramstad.REDONDO BEACH, Calif. -- The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO ADAO Assistant Division Aviation Officer ), an organization dedicated to serving as the voice of asbestos victims, today mourns the passing of Les Skramstad. On Sunday, January 21, Les, age 70, lost his eleven year battle to diseases caused by asbestos, including mesothelioma Mesothelioma Definition Mesothelioma is an uncommon disease that causes malignant cancer cells to form within the lining of the chest, abdomen, or around the heart. Its primary cause is believed to be exposure to asbestos. . For three years, Les worked as a sweeper at Zonolite, a vermiculite ver·mic·u·lite n. Any of a group of micaceous hydrated silicate minerals related to the chlorites and used in heat-expanded form as insulation and as a planting medium. mine in Libby, Montana. Les was diagnosed with asbestosis asbestosis Lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of asbestos fibres. A pneumoconiosis found primarily in asbestos workers, asbestosis is also seen in people living near asbestos industries. in 1996 and then mesothelioma in 2007. Les became an activist to warn people about the dangers of asbestos and fight for justice. "This didn't happen to us, this was done to us," stated Skramstad. "Les will be always remembered for his honesty, courage, integrity and his unwavering commitment to justice and asbestos disease awareness," said Linda Reinstein, Executive Director and Cofounder co·found tr.v. co·found·ed, co·found·ing, co·founds To establish or found in concert with another or others. co·found of Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). "More than 30 million homes, schools and office building are still contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. with deadly asbestos, which has still not been banned." "Les was a hero. If there was ever anyone who had their moral compass pointing in the right direction, it was Les," said Margy Urnberg, ADAO National Representative Director and former Libby resident. The occurrence of asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer lung cancer, cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States in both men and women. Like other cancers, lung cancer occurs after repeated insults to the genetic material of the cell. and asbestosis, is growing out of control. Studies estimate that during the next decade, 100,000 victims in the United States will die of an asbestos related disease - equaling 30 deaths per day. 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. |
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