Caso Shell Paulínia.

Because of the unsafe working
conditions at the plant, he has suffered from a number of occupational
illnesses, including blood and ocular hypertension, hearing loss,
prostate and lung cancers.
Propelled by the injustices committed against themselves and their
peers, Rasteiro and other former workers of Shell/Basf created the
Association of Workers Exposed to Chemical Substances (ATESQ), to
demand compensation for the numerous cases of cancer and other
chronic diseases caused by exposures to a number of pesticides
produced in the plant.

Together with the Unified Chemical Workers
Union, ATESQ struggles in several fronts against the negligence and
irresponsibility of these companies, which have denied the
contamination of their former workers and left them without any
assistance.
In his role as ATESQ Coordinator, Mr. Rasteiro has led the struggle of
nearly a thousand former workers for more than five years. Under his
leadership, the work of the union and ATESQ has become one of the
most important campaigns for the health and safety of workers in Brazil.
Mr. Rasteiro and his colleagues have become occupational safety and
health advocates locally, nationally and even internationally.

They have
joined the Brazilian Network for Environmental Justice, collaborated
with other environmental struggles in Brazil, and participated in several
World Social Forums.
The indefatigable struggle of this union and ATESQ is a good example
of what it takes for workers to earn justice and fair compensation for the
health and safety damage created by unethical companies exporting
hazards from developed to developing countries.
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Occupational Heath and Safety Section
American Public Health Association
News Release
For Immediate Release – October 23, 2009 Contact:
Peter Dooley, 734-320-5160
Celeste Monforton, 703-405-7577
Washington DC ― The Occupational Health and Safety Section (OHS) of the American Public
Health Association (APHA) announced today the recipients of their awards for outstanding
achievements. The OHS Section will celebrate the accomplishments of these individuals during
a luncheon ceremony at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia on Tuesday,
November 10, 2009. The OHS Section is one of APHA’s oldest ― established in 1914―and is
comprised of individuals who are dedicated to protecting and advancing workers’ rights to
healthy and safe workplaces. APHA is the largest and most diverse public health organization in
the world.
Sylvia Kieding is the recipient of the Alice Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. A
health and safety activist for more than 35 years, Ms. Kieding joined the Oil, Chemical, and
Atomic Workers’ union as a health and safety coordinator in 1973 and was instrumental in the
development and publication of Lifelines, the first nationwide health and safety newsletter.
As OCAW’s Health and Safety Director, she directed the first Hazardous Waste Training
Program and provided local unions in energy, chemical, atomic and related industries with
assistance on health and safety problems, health and safety contract language. Ms. Kieding
now directs the United Steelworkers International Union’s Worker Health Protection
Program, which provides free medical screening for former and current nuclear facility
workers.
Antonio de Marco Rasteiro is the recipient of the International Health and Safety Award.

An employee of Shell/BASF in Paulínia Brazil for 21 years, Mr. Rasteiro is contaminated with
organochlorines and suffers from a number of work-related diseases.

In spite of these challenges,
he has campaigned passionately for justice for his fellow former workers.

He cofounded and
coordinates the Association of Workers Exposed to Chemical Substances (ATESQ), which
demands recognition of and compensation for the numerous cases of cancer and other chronic
diseases caused by pesticide exposures within the plant.

Mr. Rasteiro has led a number of
marches, rallies, and lawsuits against the two corporations, who continue to deny responsibility
for the injustices committed. His leadership has brought to fruition one of the most important
campaigns for the health and safety of workers in Brazil.
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2 of 2
Kerry Souza, ScD, MPH is the recipient of the Lorin Kerr Award for Activism.
Dr. Souza has devoted her energy and passion for occupational health to APHA’s
Occupational Health and Safety Section for the last several years. As a section member, she
has served in numerous capacities, including Section Secretary, Section Counselor, and most
recently, chair of the Program Committee. An expert in occupational health disparities and
work-related medical conditions among minority and immigrant workers, Dr. Souza cofounded
and has organized the Occupational Health Disparities Institute (ODHI) since 2007.
Steve Schrag is the recipient of the Tony Mazzocchi Award for Grassroots Organizing. A
dedicated worker trainer, Mr. Schrag has conducted workshops, seminars and conferences for
more than 11,000 workers since 1985. Formerly the Eastern Region health and safety
coordinator for the Service Employees International Union, he now works with 1199-SEIU in
New York, where he has developed a network of 75 worker trainers. He is currently developing a
“green” jobs leadership training to ensure that health and safety is included in all aspects of the
new green economy.
This year’s awardees will be honored on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at the American Public
Health Association’s Annual Meeting, as part of the OHS Section’s Awards Luncheon at the
Pennsylvania Convention Center. Tickets to the event are $27.00. For more information contact
the individuals listed above, or visit us online at:
http://www.apha.org/membergroups/sections/aphasections/occupational/
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