Posted on March 26, 2018
The International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers hosted the 2018 Insulators International Invitational Symposium on Asbestos in Miami from March 7 – 9. I was honored not only to be included as a guest but also invited to contribute as one of almost thirty speakers. 
During the weekend of education and advocacy, insulator union officers, trade unions, medical and nonprofits professionals had an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and information to increase awareness regarding prevention, diagnosing, early screening, treatment, and public policy. My presentation, “Asbestos: Prevention and Policy: Eliminating Asbestos Exposure in the 21st Century,” shed light on our latest victories in prevention and policy, as well as outlined the path ahead.
Union members have worked in the trenches with asbestos for decades, and now, the terrible consequences have surfaced and many of them have been diagnosed with an asbestos-caused disease. That’s the primary driver behind this year’s motto: “Unite For The Cure”.
I extend my deepest gratitude to the event organizers, President James McCourt and Dr. Michael Harbut, for their kind invitation to ADAO. I congratulate these individuals for their leadership to bring together a number of stakeholders to exchange crucial information and collaborate to end the man-made asbestos disaster.
Let’s continue to keep the momentum of hope rolling from the symposium — until there’s an end to asbestos-caused disease, we remain united for a cure!
Linda Reinstein