New campaign launched to bring attention to national asbestos problem

“Ban Asbestos Now,” a campaign to build awareness of the continued use of asbestos in the United States, today launched the Ban Asbestos Now Video Search, asking students across the United States to use their creativity to draw national attention to the toxic, and often deadly, substance considered “the largest manmade public health crisis in history” according to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO).

Each year, 2000-3000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer which is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos.  Asbestos has been banned in some 50 countries, however it still exists potentially everywhere throughout the United States, including the ceilings and floors of building that were built before 1980, duct tape, caulking, textured paints, car brakes and automotive parts, and even children’s toys.

To help eliminate this deadly killer, the “Ban Asbestos Now” Campaign asks students at colleges, universities and film schools across the United States to submit videos that drive attention to the national asbestos problem and compel Americans to join the movement to “Ban Asbestos Now.”  To enter the search, students, in teams of no more than 4, need to create a 90-120 second video vignette that addresses such questions such as, “Did You Know Asbestos Is Still Legal in the US?”, “Where Can You Find It?”, and “Do You Know What Diseases It Can Cause?”

The winning individual or team will be sent to the world famous 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival in Westwood Village, with $1000 cash per team member, and the winning video may become the viral platform of the “Ban Asbestos Now” campaign at www.BanAsbestosNow.com. The winner will be announced on May 19th, 2010 by a select judge’s panel chosen by Sokolove Law.

Please visit www.BanAsbestosNow.net to view our Ban Asbestos Now Video Search Toolkit, which includes contest rules, video creation and submission guidelines, and promotional materials. You may also contact Sean Galliher at sgalliher@sokolovelaw.com.