Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Urges United States Surgeon General to Educate Americans on Dangers of Asbestos; Report Cites Increase in Asbestos Related Diseases.

WASHINGTON -- Please replace the release dated May 5, 2006 with the following corrected version due to multiple revisions.

The corrected release reads:

ASBESTOS DISEASE AWARENESS ORGANIZATION URGES UNITED STATES SURGEON GENERAL TO EDUCATE AMERICANS ON DANGERS OF ASBESTOS; REPORT CITES INCREASE IN ASBESTOS RELATED DISEASES

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), an organization dedicated to serving as the voice of asbestos victims, urges Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, to issue an immediate warning to educate Americans on the deadly effects of asbestos exposure. Asbestos has not been banned in the United States and many workers, consumers and innocent bystanders unknowingly become exposed to the deadly asbestos.

The recent "Thirteen Indicators of the Health of Michigan's Workforce", a Joint Report by the Michigan Department of Community Health Bureau and the Michigan State University, reported Michigan both the asbestosis-related mortality increased 125% between 1990-2003 and the incidence rates of malignant mesothelioma increased by 26% between 1992-2002.

The duties of the Surgeon General include protecting and advancing the health of the nation through educating the public; advocating for effective disease prevention and health promotion programs and activities; and providing a highly recognized symbol of national commitment to protecting and improving the public's health. The Surgeon General is urged to immediately issue an official warning stating: "Asbestos exposure may be hazardous to your health. For safety and prevention, follow established EPA and OSHA guidelines."

Currently, more than 30 million homes, schools and public buildings are contaminated with asbestos. Anyone working in these types of environments face a risk of inhaling asbestos fibers which can cause permanent, irreversible damage to the body. Asbestos exposure is also strongly linked to asbestosis, lung cancer and a very aggressive cancer called mesothelioma. Sadly, many times the asbestos-related diseases are not detected in time for successful treatment because of the 10-50 year latency period. Since asbestos diseases are incurable and deadly, the only answer is prevention - which can be obtained through education and awareness.

"We feel that a warning from the Surgeon General would have a huge impact on our fight against asbestos by raising further awareness to Americans about the dangers of asbestos exposure," said Alan Reinstein, President of Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization and mesothelioma victim. "The human and economic costs of asbestos are catastrophic. Preventing exposure is the only way to eliminate disabilities, diseases, deaths and millions of dollars in costs for surveillance, treatment, workers compensation and civil judgments."

About Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization

Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families. 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.