Posted on March 27, 2021
Each year, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization 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.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen and there is no safe level of exposure. Throughout the 20th century, the mineral was widely used in construction, shipbuilding, and the automotive industry. Without a ban, asbestos currently remains legal and lethal in nearly 70% of the world, including in the United States. As such, it continues to kill more than 200,000 people globally each year, yet these deaths are preventable. As ADAO says, “Hear Asbestos. Think Prevention.”
Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW) focuses on educating people about both the risk of asbestos and how to manage it in order to prevent asbestos-caused diseases. While promising research continues, prevention remains the only cure. When it comes to asbestos and mesothelioma, knowledge truly is power. This week is about delivering that power: we seek to equip people with the tools they need to protect themselves while we work for preventative legislation and a cure.
Since founding ADAO in 2004, we have worked with the U.S. Senate to unanimously pass 16 Asbestos Awareness Week Resolutions and secure six U.S. Surgeon General asbestos warnings. In 2016, Surgeon General Murthy stated “National Asbestos Awareness Week is April 1-7 – a good time to remind Americans about the health dangers of asbestos exposure. Asbestos, a natural mineral fiber that is found in rock and soil, was widely used as insulation and fireproofing material in homes, commercial buildings, ships and other products, such as paints and car brakes.” We are grateful to have him as our Nation’s Doctor once again.
Building on that strength and collaboration, this year’s Global Asbestos Awareness Week will focus on:
- Banning the mining, manufacturing, and use of asbestos
- Preventing asbestos exposure
- Increasing compliance and enforcement of existing laws and regulations
- Strengthening international partnerships
We are delighted to collaborate with our 2021 GAAW Partners for Prevention: Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (@IOSH_tweets), Environmental Information Association (@EIA_USA), and the Mavis Nye Foundation (@MavisNye). Join the conversation online by using #2021GAAW and follow daily content by using the hashtag #2021GAAW.
Unity is one of our greatest assets and we love to collaborate with leading international nonprofit organizations for Global Asbestos Awareness Week. Our 2021 international ambassadors and Partners for Prevention are Grupo português de Apoio às Vítimas do Amianto (SOS ASBESTOS – Portuguese Asbestos Victim Support Group) from Portugal, Fundación Colombia Libre de Asbesto (Colombia asbestos Free Foundation) from Colombia, and Association nationale des victimes de l’amiante et autres polluants from France.
Global Asbestos Awareness Week Schedule:
Day ONE – April 1st: Asbestos: One Word. One Week. One World.
Remembering Alan Reinstein (USA) — Read his story “I’ll Do Anything to Fight Mesothelioma to Have More Time with My Family, Anything”
Featured Video: “Asbestos: The Killer You Can’t See”
Press Release: ADAO Launches 17th Annual “Global Asbestos Awareness Week” April 1-7, 2021
Day TWO – April 2nd: World Health Organization Asbestos-Related Disease Fact Sheet
Featuring Mavis (United Kingdom) — Read her story “I fight on for all our #Meso Warriors past, present and future.”
Featured Video: “एस्बेस्टोस: द किलर आप देख नहीं सकते”
Press Release (Hindi): एस्बेस्टॉस डिज़ीज़ अवेयरनेस आर्गेनाइजेशन (ADAO) ने 17वांवार्षिक “ग्लोबल एस्बेस्टॉस अवेयरनेस वीक” 1-7 अप्रैल, 2021 लांच किया
NGO Partner for Prevention: Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI)
Day THREE – April 3rd: Asbestos Awareness Fueled by Art and Advocacy from Judd Apatow and Earl Dotter
Remembering Warren Zevon (USA) — Read his story “My Hero, the World’s Hero”
Featured Video: “Asbesto: El asesino que no puedes ver”
Press Release (Spanish): La «Organización de Concienciación sobre la Enfermedad del Amianto» (ADAO, por sus siglas en inglés) lanza su «17.a Semana Mundial de Concienciación sobre el Amianto» del 1 al 7 de abril del 2021
NGO Partner for Prevention: Fundación Colombia Libre de Asbesto (Colombia asbestos Free Foundation)
Day FOUR – April 4th: Partnering for Prevention
Remembering Mike, (USA) — Read his story “Staying Positive”
Featured Video: “Асбест: убийца, которого вы не видите“
Press Release (Russian): Организация по информированию о заболеваниях, вызываемых асбестом, (ADAO) проводит 17-ю ежегодную «Всемирную неделю осведомленности об асбесте» с 1 по 7 апреля 2021 года
Day FIVE – April 5th: Global Action to Ban Asbestos in the USA
Featuring Julie (USA) — Read her story “The Power of Public Health Advocacy: A Patient’s Perspective”
Featured Video: “Amianto: O assassino que você não pode ver”
Press Release (Portuguese): A Organização de Consciencialização sobre a Asbestose (ADAO) Lança a 17.ª “Semana Global Anual de Consciencialização sobre o Amianto”, que terá lugar de 1 a 7 de abril de 2021
NGO Partners for Prevention: SOS AMIANTO – Grupo português de Apoio às Vítimas do Amianto (SOS ASBESTOS – Portuguese Asbestos Victim Support Group) and Associação Brasileira dos Expostos ao Amianto (ABREA).
Day SIX – April 6th: Advancing Asbestos Prevention Through Digital Education and “kNØw Asbestos” Website
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
NGO Partner for Prevention: Association nationale des victimes de l’amiante et autres polluants
Day SEVEN – April 7th: Candlelight Vigil to Honor and Remember Asbestos Victims Worldwide
Remembering Paul, (USA) — Read his story “Dust into Gold: Banning Asbestos Is Good Business”
NGO Partner for Prevention: The Mavis Nye Foundation, UK
Linda Reinstein
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