Posted on April 12, 2o22

This year’s Global Asbestos Awareness Week (#2022GAAW) marked 18 years of efforts from everyone at the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) striving to raise awareness on the issue. More people than ever before heard our message and, more importantly, have recognized the importance of sharing it with others (full set of resources listed here). Thanks to many, GAAW was an international success.

We are so grateful to our “Partners for Prevention”: Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Information Association, Occupational Safety and Health Africa (OSHAfrica), and the Mavis Nye Foundation; our International Partners: Association nationale des victimes de l’amiante et autres polluants,) who shared our press release in five different languages; and our Sponsors: Platinum Sponsor, Simmons Hanly Conroy; Gold Sponsor, Gori Law Firm and our Silver Sponsors, Bailey Glasser LLP and Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen. 

Building on collaborative work, IOSH published three great articles surrounding GAAW.
1. BREATHING UNEASY: MANAGING ASBESTOS AROUND THE WORLD
2. GRANTHAM MAN HANDED SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCE FOR EXPOSING PUBLIC TO ASBESTOS
3. INTERVIEW: LINDA REINSTEIN, CO-FOUNDER OF THE ASBESTOS DISEASE AWARENESS ORGANIZATION

Asbestos: Art, Advocacy and Action

Once again, we were able to feature artist and activist Firdaus Kharas’ Public Service Announcement videos in six languages: “Asbestos: The Killer You Can’t See” ||  “Asbesto: El asesino que no puede ver” ||  “Асбест: убийца, которого вы не видите“ ||  “एस्बेस्टोस: द किलर आप देख नहीं सकते”  ||  “Amianto: O assassino que você não pode” ||  “L’amiante: le tueur que vous ne voyez pas”. 

Looking Ahead

The global reaction to GAAW ’22 has been truly remarkable, and we have expanded our conversations worldwide regarding the dangers of asbestos. Our 2022 mantra, “One Word, One Week, One World”, has been realized and more people than ever are aware of the efforts of ADAO. We have seen many amazing resources and events shared by those in the global health community. 

Together, our shared goals and ultimate objectives are:

  • Banning the mining, manufacturing, and use of asbestos
  • Preventing asbestos exposure
  • Increasing compliance and enforcement of existing laws and regulations
  • Strengthening international partnerships

On Friday, we joined Occupational Safety and Health Africa (OSHAfrica)’s educational webinar to highlight best practices and to present obstacles to asbestos policy internationally. 

As we continue to take action together, we will achieve our goals. To each of you who shared our educational resources, your own personal story, or the stories of other Warriors — we thank you! The international participation of people, organizations, and businesses has set an amazing foundation for the year ahead. 

We look forward to continuing the Global Asbestos Awareness Week conversation in #2023GAAW. Until then, remember: HEAR ASBESTOS. THINK PREVENTION.

Linda Reinstein
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