Posted on March 24, 2026

Asbestos: One Word. One Week. One World.

Education, Advocacy, and Action to End Asbestos Exposure

Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW), led by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), unites advocates, scientists, policymakers, workers, and families worldwide to prevent asbestos exposure and eliminate asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos is a known carcinogen with no safe level of exposure and causes more than 200,000 deaths worldwide each year. Prevention remains the only cure, and education is one of the most effective tools for reducing exposure and 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.

Follow along all week and tune into our daily themes to learn the facts, share trusted information, and urge policy and lawmakers to end the man-made asbestos disaster by:

Banning the mining, manufacturing, and use of all six asbestos fibers worldwide
Preventing asbestos exposure
Strengthening compliance and enforcement of existing laws and regulations
Expanding international partnerships to protect public health

Global Asbestos Awareness Week materials will be available in multiple languages, including English, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian.

Daily Themes

Explore the themes below to learn the facts, hear powerful stories, and discover actions that help protect ourselves and our communities from asbestos exposure.

📅 Day One

Ignite the Movement: Legacy, Facts, and Cancer Prevention

Launching Global Asbestos Awareness Week with the English press release, facts, voices, and momentum driving prevention and the movement to end asbestos exposure worldwide.

Special thanks to the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act champions, Senator Jeff Merkley, Representative Suzanne Bonamici, and Representative Don Bacon, for their leadership on asbestos awareness and prevention.

📅 Day Two

Global Asbestos Crisis: The Human Cost of Inaction
Examining the global burden of asbestos-related diseases through public health leadership and personal stories that underscore the urgency of prevention.

Featured Language: Hindi
Daily Sponsor: Dean Omar Branham Shirley LLP

📅 Day Three

Inspire Change: Art, Advocacy, and Action
Showcasing how art, storytelling, and advocacy transform data into human impact and inspire policy change.

Featured Language: Spanish
Daily Sponsor: Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP

📅 Day Four

Demand Justice: Prevention Through Law and Policy
Highlighting the role of legislation, legal action, and science-based policy in protecting public health and advancing an asbestos ban.

Featured Language: Russian
Daily Sponsor: The Gori Law Firm

📅 Day Five

Unite Globally: Workers, Health, and Safety
Honoring worker advocates and strengthening international solidarity to protect workers and eliminate asbestos exposure.

Featured Language: Portuguese
Daily Sponsor: Motley Rice LLC

📅 Day Six

Empower Prevention: Technology for Global Access
Exploring how digital tools and global education platforms expand access to life-saving asbestos prevention information.

Featured Language: French
Partners for Prevention: Institution of Occupational Safety and Health & British Occupational Hygiene Society

📅 Day Seven

Virtual Candlelight Vigil to Honor and Remember Asbestos Victims Worldwide
A global moment of remembrance honoring those lost to asbestos-related diseases and renewing our shared commitment to prevention and justice.

Featured Language: Ukrainian
ADAO sincerely thanks the Global Awareness Asbestos Week (GAAW) Sponsors: Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP (Platinum), Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP (Platinum), The Gori Law Firm (Gold), Motley Rice LLC (Gold), Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen (Silver).

Join #2026GAAW and Take Action:

“Time has proven: together, change is possible.”
— Linda Reinstein

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Global Asbestos Awareness Week?
Global Asbestos Awareness Week (April 1–7) is an international campaign to educate the public about asbestos exposure and promote prevention and policy solutions to eliminate asbestos-related diseases.

Why is asbestos still a public health concern?
Asbestos is a known carcinogen with no safe level of exposure. More than 200,000 people worldwide die each year from diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

When is Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2026?
April 1–7, 2026.

How can people participate?
Engage with our daily themes, share asbestos facts, educate others about risks, support prevention policies, and join the conversation using #2026GAAW.