Posted on March 30, 2021

2021 Global #Asbestos Awareness Week || Day SIX – April 6th: Advancing Asbestos Prevention Through Digital Education and “kNØw Asbestos” Website
Day SIX: Featuring Sara (France) — Read her story: “Someone Pulled the Emergency Brake!”
Featured Video: “L’amiante: le tueur que vous ne voyez pas”
Press Release (French): L’ADAO (Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization) organise sa 17ème « Semaine annuelle de sensibilisation mondiale à l’amiante » du 1er au 7 avril 2021

Each year, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (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) content, please click here. Be sure to follow the conversation on social media with our GAAW hashtag: #2021GAAW.

Asbestos is a known human carcinogen, and there is no safe level of exposure. While promising research continues, prevention remains the only cure. 

Today, on day six of GAAW, we’re honored to share the powerful story of Sara from France, “Someone Pulled the Emergency Brake!”  We’re also highlighting digital education innovations that are advancing asbestos prevention worldwide, such as ADAO’s “kNØw Asbestos” website, and the recordings of past conferences.

“kNØw Asbestos” is a one-stop resource guide to learn about the dangers of asbestos. Created in collaboration with and consultation from a committee of strong international partners, our user-friendly platform enables easy access to credible asbestos resources as well as prevention tools and tips. It is a state-of-the-art, cutting-edge educational website to advance our global ban asbestos efforts.

Many of the government websites are difficult to navigate and lack important information. We hope that our “kNØw Asbestos” site will help to make this information easier to find and share.

In addition to ADAO’s online resources, we believe in “Partnering for Prevention.” Today’s partner is Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

Since 2014, IOSH has been campaigning for occupational cancer prevention through its No Time to Lose (NTTL) campaign. The No Time to Lose campaign aims to:

  • Raise awareness of a significant health issue facing employees
  • Offer businesses free practical, original materials to help them deliver effective prevention programs
  • Secure commitments from organizations to improve preventative measures.

Through the campaign, IOSH launched materials to help raise awareness of asbestos and how to manage it. These include a fact guide, a leaflet and pocket card for employees, presentations and ‘Duty to Manage’ flowcharts.

IOSH is also encouraging organizations to support the campaign. ADAO became an official supporter of IOSH’s No Time to Lose campaign two years ago. Since then, ADAO has collaborated with IOSH on a range of activities from presenting at high-profile global conferences to co-branding campaign resources and sharing on social media.

Please check out both ADAO and IOSH educational resources and spread the word with your family and friends! As ADAO says, Hear Asbestos. Think Prevention. 

We are excited to announce that registration for our 16th Annual International Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference will be opening in May 2021! The conference will be virtual this year, and we are excited to share this event with viewers around the world to spread statistics, facts, and educational materials from leading asbestos experts and victims. Remember: when it comes to asbestos, learning truly does save lives.

Thank you to our Partner for Prevention Marc Hindry from Association nationale des victimes de l’amiante et autres polluants for representing France during GAAW. Find out more on their website.

Together, we make change happen.

Linda Reinstein
Social Networks