ADAO’s 2026 Conference Focuses on Asbestos Prevention and the Law
Asbestos Exposure & Bans
Written by Travis Rodgers | Edited by Amy Edel
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization will host its 21st Annual Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference on Sept. 25 and 26 at the Marriott AC Hotel Arlington National Landing in Arlington, Virginia. This year’s theme, “Asbestos: Awareness, Prevention, and the Law,” brings together doctors, scientists, attorneys, policymakers, patients and families living with asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma.
Linda Reinstein, ADAO’s president and co-founder, tells us, “We can’t fight asbestos exposure alone, especially with the laws around it changing all the time. That’s why, for 21 years, this conference has brought together experts, patients, advocates and policymakers who all want the same thing: to end asbestos-caused diseases once and for all.”
The conference begins Friday, Sept. 25, with an evening community gathering called “Under the Stars.” Musicians Jordan Zevon, Matt Cartsonis and Jordan Summers will perform during the event, which gives patients, families and advocates an opportunity to connect before Saturday’s academic sessions.
Academic Conference Sessions
Saturday’s academic program features 4 sessions covering asbestos prevention, health impacts, research, treatment, policy and the law. Speakers will discuss the progress advocates have made, ongoing challenges and the work that remains.
2026 ADAO Conference Agenda
- Session 1: Two Decades of Advocacy, Milestones, Challenges and the Road Ahead
- Session 2: Asbestos Prevention and Health Impacts, Risks, Diagnosis, and Advances in Treatment
- Session 3: The Asbestos Policy Journey and Strategic Advocacy
- Session 4: Navigating Asbestos Law, Litigation, Regulation and Legislative Action
Session 4 will examine legal and legislative developments, including asbestos lawsuits, EPA regulations and the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act. The bipartisan bill would ban all six regulated types of asbestos in the United States. The legislation remains with a Senate committee. Attorneys on the panel will discuss these developments and what they could mean for families dealing with asbestos exposure.
September is Mesothelioma Awareness Month, and September 26 is Mesothelioma Awareness Day. ADAO will recognize advocates, researchers and organizations during its Awards and Recognition Dinner that evening.
2026 Conference Honorees
ADAO recognizes individuals and organizations each year for their contributions to asbestos research, advocacy and community support. This year’s honorees include medical researchers, patient advocates and nonprofit organizations.
List: 2026 Honorees
- 9/11 Health Watch, Tribute of Inspiration Award
- John M. Dement, PhD, and Michael Crane, MD, MPH, Dr. Irving Selikoff Award
- Jordan Summers, Warren Zevon “Keep Me in Your Heart” Award
- Libby Brow and Penny Jo Major, Alan Reinstein Tribute Award
- Mesothelioma UK, Tribute of Hope Award
- Miles for Mesothelioma, Tribute of Unity Award
Reinstein says, “We started this work 21 years ago with one goal: stop asbestos exposure and end the diseases it causes. This year’s honorees all pushed that goal forward, some through research, some through policy, some through art and some just by turning their own loss into action for others. Prevention is still the only real cure we have, and we only get there together.”
How to Join ADAO’s 2026 Conference and Get Involved
Tickets are still available for ADAO’s 21st Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference. Registration options include full conference access, a discounted rate for people diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease and current students. There is also a dinner-only ticket for those who want to attend the Awards and Recognition Dinner.
Visit ADAO’s official conference site for registration information and current pricing. Reinstein adds, “Having our academic conference and awards dinner land on Mesothelioma Awareness Day this year means a lot to us. Even if you can’t join us in person, share the event and help this message reach as many people as possible.”
ADAO also plans to grow its Six-Word Quote Campaign during the event. The campaign invites people to send Congress a message about asbestos in 6 words or fewer.
A new app lets people submit a message and photo that ADAO turns into a shareable graphic. Reinstein shares, “During the conference weekend, we’re looking forward to expanding our Six-Word Campaign to end mesothelioma, as every Mesothelioma Warrior has a story to share and a voice that deserves to be heard.”
