The document discusses asbestos policy statements by the American Public Health Association (APHA) from 2009 to 2019. It summarizes the key points of the 2009 and 2019 policy statements, which initially called for the "Elimination of Asbestos" and later advocated for "Eliminating Exposure to Asbestos". The document also outlines obstacles to banning asbestos like junk science, obstacles to policy change, and opportunities through education, legislation, and litigation that have led to outcomes like APHA resolutions and bills introduced to ban asbestos between 2004 to 2021.

1. APHA Asbestos Policy Statements:
Obstacles, Opportunities, and Outcomes
American Public Health Association
Building Bridges to Advance Policy & Action in Occupational Health & Safety
Linda Reinstein
Co-Founder/President
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization

2. COCCODRILLI
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization is a Registered 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit dedicated to
raising public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and policy to prevent
exposure.
Education Advocacy Community
ADAO does not make legal referrals.
@Linda_ADAO

3. APHA Asbestos Policy Statements
2009 - Policy Statement 20096: Elimination of
Asbestos
2009 Policy Statement
“Elimination of Asbestos”
2019 Policy Statement
“Eliminating Exposure to
Asbestos”
@Linda_ADAO

4. Thank you …
• Georges C. Benjamin, MD
• Donald Hoppert
• Celeste Monforton, Dr.PH, MPH
• Mary Miller, MN, RN
@Linda_ADAO

5. 20,000 Fibers
Compared to rice and hair
@Linda_ADAO

6. Asbestos Timeline
@Linda_ADAO

7. @Linda_ADAO
● Asbestosis
● Larynx cancer
● Mesothelioma
● Ovarian cancer
● Tracheal,
bronchial, and
lung cancer
Source: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME)
Over 40,000 Americans lose their lives to asbestos-caused diseases each
year, yet importation and use continue.

8. Obstacles Junk Science
Misinformation
Disinformation
Document Suppression
@Linda_ADAO

9. Evolution of APHA Policy Statements
Elimination of Asbestos (2009)
• Problem Statement
• Recommendations
Eliminating Exposure to Asbestos (2019)
• Abstract
• Relationship to Existing APHA Policy Statement
• Problem Statement
• Evidence-Based Strategies to Address the Problem
• Opposing Arguments/Evidence
• Action Steps

10. Legacy
Asbestos
Structures
Cars, Ships, Aircrafts
Consumer Shelves
Climate Change
Superfund Sites
@Linda_ADAO

11. Opportunities Education Media, Blogs, Interns
Legislation Hearings & Briefings
Regulations
Rulemaking, Compliance,
Enforcement
Litigation ADAO v. EPA
@Linda_ADAO

12. 2004 – 2021 Ban Asbestos Actions & Outcomes
16 ADAO Resolutions
15.5 Staff Briefings
10 Ban Asbestos Bills
6 Surgeon General Warnings
5.5 Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Bills
2 APHA Policy Statements
@Linda_ADAO