Posted on April 1, 2015
Each year, ADAO dedicates April 1-7 to increasing awareness of asbestos and preventing exposure by bringing together experts and victims from around the world to share, learn, and take action. To view all 7 days of Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW) contributors and content on our landing page, please click here.
Hear Asbestos. Think Prevention.™
This day of Global Asbestos Awareness Week is dedicated to Alan, a Mesothelioma Warrior. Click here to read his story, “I’ll Do Anything to Fight Mesothelioma to Have More Time with My Family, Anything.”
We kick off this year’s Global Asbestos Awareness Week by dedicating the day to “Elimination of Asbestos-Related Disease” and highlighting critical information from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO is a respected international organization committed to international public health and safety, and their research is an incredible resource to learn more about eliminating asbestos, preventing exposure, and eradicating asbestos-related diseases. The WHO estimates that more than 107,000 deaths each year around the world are attributed to occupational exposure to asbestos, yet most people are unaware of its existence and dangers. Due to this critical need, the organization has committed to working with countries:
- By recognizing that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos
- To provide information about solutions for replacing asbestos with safer substitutes and developing economic and technological mechanisms to stimulate its replacement
- To take measures to prevent exposure to asbestos in place and during asbestos removal (abatement)
- To improve early diagnosis, treatment, social and medical rehabilitation of asbestos-related diseases and to establish registries of people with past and/or current exposure to asbestos.
ADAO is incredibly thankful for the WHO’s work around the world and their willingness to collaborate over the years to protect public health.
Each year, upon the passage of the U.S. Senate’s “National Asbestos Awareness Week” Resolution, in addition to a week of awareness, the Senate “urges the Surgeon General of the United States to warn and educate people about the public health issue of asbestos exposure, which may be hazardous to their health.”