FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2026
The 21st Campaign: Educating the Public About the Health Risks of Asbestos
WASHINGTON, D.C. April 1–7 marks the 21st annual Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW), a worldwide campaign led by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) to raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and promote prevention.
ADAO, an independent nonprofit dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure through education, advocacy, and community engagement, brings together scientists, public health leaders, labor organizations, policymakers, advocates, and families to share trusted information and advance solutions that protect public health.
“More than two decades after we launched Global Asbestos Awareness Week, the message remains clear. Asbestos exposure is preventable, and prevention saves lives,” said Linda Reinstein, President and CEO of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization and co-founder of the international campaign. “By sharing trusted science, elevating the voices of those affected, and advancing policy solutions such as the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act (ARBAN), we can protect workers, families, and future generations from this entirely preventable disease.”
Global Asbestos Awareness Week materials will be shared in multiple languages, including English, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian, expanding access to life-saving information worldwide.
Asbestos is a known human carcinogen with no safe level of exposure. Although banned in more than 70 countries, asbestos remains legal and lethal in the United States. Each year, more than 40,000 Americans die from asbestos-related diseases, while more than 200,000 people worldwide die from illnesses linked to asbestos exposure.
“Asbestos remains one of the world’s deadliest occupational and environmental carcinogens,” Reinstein said. “More than 200,000 people around the world die each year from asbestos-related diseases, yet exposure continues in many countries. Global Asbestos Awareness Week reminds us that prevention is possible and that eliminating asbestos use is essential to protecting public health.”
Throughout the week, ADAO, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOSH), and others will share educational resources, expert insights, and personal stories from individuals whose lives have been forever changed by asbestos exposure. The campaign concludes with a Virtual Candlelight Vigil honoring those lost to preventable asbestos-caused diseases and reaffirming a shared commitment to prevention.
In collaboration with partners for prevention, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), ADAO continues to expand global education and prevention efforts that protect workers and communities from asbestos exposure.
This year’s daily themes include:
April 1: Ignite the Movement: Legacy, Facts, and Cancer Prevention
April 2: Global Asbestos Crisis: The Human Cost of Inaction
April 3: Inspire Change: Art, Advocacy, and Action
April 4: Demand Justice: Prevention Through Law and Policy
April 5: Unite Globally: Workers, Health, and Safety
April 6: Empower Prevention: Technology for Global Access
April 7: Virtual Candlelight Vigil to Honor and Remember Asbestos Victims Worldwide
Now in its 21st year, Global Asbestos Awareness Week continues to expand by sharing life-saving information in multiple languages, strengthening international partnerships, and promoting accessible digital tools that help prevent asbestos exposure.
ADAO invites individuals and organizations worldwide to join Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2026 and help prevent asbestos exposure and eliminate asbestos-caused diseases.
Click Here to Learn More about the GAAW
About the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is an independent nonprofit dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure and eliminating asbestos-caused diseases through education, advocacy, and community initiatives. Founded in 2004, ADAO works with scientists, public health leaders, policymakers, labor organizations, and affected families to advance prevention, strengthen public health protections, and promote science-based policy solutions. ADAO leads Global Asbestos Awareness Week (April 1–7) each year to educate the public about the dangers of asbestos and the importance of prevention.
