Updated on March 20, 2025

The History of Global Asbestos Awareness Week (April 1–7) || One Word. One Week. One World.

Asbestos is a known carcinogen. There is no safe level of exposure, yet it continues to be mined, used, and imported, putting millions at risk. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence and decades of advocacy, the asbestos crisis persists globally—largely due to industry influence and misinformation.

Since 2004, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) has worked to correct misconceptions, provide lifesaving education, and advocate for stronger prevention policies. As a global leader in asbestos prevention and policy, ADAO has mobilized individuals, influenced policymakers, and strengthened the call for a worldwide asbestos ban.

One of ADAO’s most significant achievements is Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW), observed every April 1–7. What started as a single Asbestos Awareness Day in the US has evolved into an international movement, educating thousands and shaping policies to protect public health.

From One Day to One Week: A Movement Takes Hold

The push for an official awareness day began in 2005 when U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid championed ADAO’s call for a National Asbestos Awareness Day Resolution. The resolution passed unanimously, marking a historic milestone in asbestos advocacy.

Recognizing the need to expand awareness, ADAO successfully petitioned the Senate in 2007 to extend the initiative to a week-long observance. This pivotal moment—paired with a formal Surgeon General’s asbestos warning—solidified the campaign’s national and global significance.

In 2009, UK advocate Mavis Nye proposed dedicating an entire week to asbestos awareness in the United Kingdom, further fueling the campaign’s transformation into a global movement. Since then, ADAO has expanded its reach, offering educational materials in eight languages and fostering international collaborations to strengthen awareness efforts.

Global Partnerships for Change

ADAO’s partnership-driven approach unites organizations, experts, and advocates from across the globe. We are proud to collaborate with our Organizing Partners for Prevention—the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) and the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS)—who lead by example through their extraordinary contributions to advancing health and safety worldwide.

GAAW has been strengthened through collaboration with:

✔️ American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
✔️ American Public Health Organization (APHA)
✔️ International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
✔️ Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)

Through these alliances, ADAO has expanded awareness, strengthened advocacy efforts, and propelled policy change on a global scale.

From Awareness to Action: Policy & Progress

GAAW has fueled real policy change. Over the years, ADAO has secured 19 National Senate Resolutions, ensuring asbestos remains a key public health issue. These efforts have led to major regulatory actions, including:

✔️ President Obama’s recognition of asbestos as a carcinogen
✔️ The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prioritizing asbestos for regulatory action
✔️ Congressional records exposing the ongoing asbestos crisis

Despite these victories, challenges remain. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 posed significant hurdles for advocacy work, but ADAO’s dedication never faltered.

Today, ADAO translates most materials into eight languages (Arabic, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, and Ukrainian) to ensure that asbestos education reaches communities worldwide.

The week culminates on April 7 with a virtual worldwide candlelight vigil, a powerful symbol of solidarity, remembrance, and action.

GAAW 2025: The Loudest Call to Action Yet

The 2025 Global Asbestos Awareness Week campaign will feature:

📌 Key influencers, experts, and global advocates
📌 Facts, art, films, and educational content from around the world
📌 Videos in eight languages
📌 Legislative updates on the urgent need for an asbestos ban

We are closer than ever to banning asbestos—but we need your voice. Join us April 1–7, 2025, and be part of the movement that turns awareness into lifesaving action.

Join the conversation using #2025GAAW.

Together, we make change happen.

Linda Reinstein

U.S  Surgeon General Warning Statements

 

Coming Soon: A resolution designating the first week of April 2025 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 119th Congress

S.Res 635 –A resolution designating the first week of April 2024 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 118th Congress
Sponsors:  Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] | and Sen. Steve Daines,  [R-MT]
Cosponsors:
Sen. Jeff Merkley [D-OR]
Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Cory Booker [D-NJ]
Sen. Alex Padilla [D-CA]
Sen. Edward Markey [D-MA]

S.Res.149 – A resolution designating the first week of April 2023 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 118th Congress
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] and Sen. Steve Daines,  [R-MT]
Cosponsors:
Sen. Jeff Merkley [D-OR]
Sen. Thomas R. Carper [D-DE]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Edward J. Markey [D-MA]
Sen. Alex Padilla [D-CA]
Sen. Elizabeth Warren [D-MA]
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse [D-RI]

S.Res.561 – A resolution designating the first week of April 2022 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 117th Congress
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] and Sen. Steve Daines,  [R-MT]
Cosponsors:

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse [D-RI]
Sen. Jeff Merkley [D-OR]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Alex Padilla [D-CA]
Sen. Thomas R. Carper [D-DE]

S.Res.145 – A resolution designating the first week of April 2021 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 117th Congress
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] and Sen. Steve Daines,  [R-MT]
Cosponsors:
Sen. Jeff Merkley [D-OR]
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse [D-RI]
Sen. Thomas R. Carper [D-DE]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]

S.Res.92 – A resolution designating the first week of April 2019 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 116th Congress
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]  and Sen. Steve Daines,  [R-MT]
Cosponsors:
Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin [D-MD]
Sen. Cory A. Booker [D-NJ]
Sen. Kamala D. Harris [D-CA]
Sen. Edward J. Markey [D-MA]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse [D-RI]
Sen. Patrick J. Leahy [D-VT]
Sen. Jeff Merkley [D-OR]
Sen. Elizabeth Warren [D-MA]
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
Sen. Thomas R. Carper [D-DE]
Sen. Johnny Isakson [R-GA]

S.Res.449 – A resolution designating the first week of April 2018 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 115th Congress
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] and Sen. Steve Daines,  [R-MT]
Cosponsors:
Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin [D-MD]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse [D-RI]
Sen. Kamala D. Harris [D-CA]
Sen. Patrick J. Leahy [D-VT]
Sen. Jeff Merkley [D-OR]
Sen. Cory A. Booker [D-NJ]
Sen. Edward J. Markey [D-MA]
Sen. Johnny Isakson [R-GA]
Sen. Elizabeth Warren [D-MA]

S.Res.98 – A resolution designating the first week of April 2017 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 115th Congress
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]  and Sen. Steve Daines,  [R-MT]
Cosponsors:
Sen. Edward J. Markey [D-MA]
Sen. Johnny Isakson [R-GA]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
Sen. Elizabeth Warren [D-MA]
Sen. Jeff Merkley [D-OR]
Sen. Patrick J. Leahy [D-VT]

​​S.Res.376 – A resolution designating the first week of April 2016 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 114th Congress
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] |
Cosponsors:
Sen. Barbara Boxer [D-CA]
Sen. Johnny Isakson [R-GA]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Elizabeth Warren [D-MA]
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
Sen. Harry Reid [D-NV]
Sen. Jeff Merkley [D-OR]
Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA]
Sen. Jon Tester [D-MT]
Sen. Steve Daines [R-MT]
Sen. Charles E. Schumer [D-NY]
Sen. Patrick J. Leahy [D-VT]

S.Res 125 A resolution designating the first week of April 2015 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 112th Congress 
Sponsor: Edward J. Markey, [D-MA]
Cosponsors:

Sen. Barbara Boxer [D-CA]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA]
Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin [D-MD]
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
Sen. Harry Reid [D-NV]
Sen. Jon Tester [D-MT]
Sen. Johnny Isakson [R-GA]
Sen. Charles E. Schumer [D-NY]
Sen. Elizabeth Warren [D-MA]
Sen. Steve Daines [R-MT]
Sen. Cory A. Booker [D-NJ]
Sen. Mike Crapo [R-ID]
Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand [D-NY]

 S.Res. 66 A resolution designating the first week of April 2014 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 112th Congress 
Sponsor: Jon Tester [D-MT]
Cosponsors:
Sen. Barbara Boxer [D-CA]
Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA]
Sen. Harry Reid [D-NV]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Johnny Isakson [R-GA]

S.Res 336 A resolution designating the first week of April 2013 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 111th Congress

Sen. Jon Tester [D-MT]
Sen. Barbara Boxer [D-CA]
Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA]
Sen. Harry Reid [D-NV]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Johnny Isakson [R-GA]

S.Res.389 – A resolution designating the first week of April 2012 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 111th Congress
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT] |
Cosponsors:
Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA]
Sen. Harry Reid [D-NV]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
Sen. Jon Tester [D-MT]
Sen. Johnny Isakson [R-GA]
Sen. Barbara Boxer [D-CA]

S.Res.63 – A resolution designating the first week of April 2011 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 112th Congress
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT] |
Cosponsors:
Sen. Johnny Isakson [R-GA]
Sen. Jon Tester [D-MT]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA]
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
Sen. Barbara Boxer [D-CA]
Sen. Harry Reid [D-NV]

S.Res.427 – A resolution designating the first week of April 2010 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 111th Congress
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT] |
Cosponsors:
Sen. Jon Tester [D-MT]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Johnny Isakson [R-GA]
Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA]
Sen. Harry Reid [D-NV]
Sen. Barbara Boxer [D-CA]
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
Sen. Patrick J. Leahy [D-VT]

S.Res.57 – A resolution designating the first week of April 2009 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 111th Congress
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT] |
Cosponsors:
Sen. Patrick J. Leahy [D-VT]
Sen. Johnny Isakson [R-GA]
Sen. Jon Tester [D-MT]
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy [D-MA]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Harry Reid [D-NV]
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA]
Sen. Barbara Boxer [D-CA]

S.Res.462 – A resolution designating the first week of April 2008 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 110th Congress
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT] |
Cosponsors:
Sen. Harry Reid [D-NV]
Sen. Patrick J. Leahy [D-VT]
Sen. Jon Tester [D-MT]
Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA]
Sen. Johnny Isakson [R-GA]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy [D-MA]

S.Res.131 – A resolution designating the first week of April 2007 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week” 110th Congress
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT] |
Cosponsors:
Sen. Harry Reid [D-NV]
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy [D-MA]
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
Sen. Richard J. Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA]
Sen. Patrick J. Leahy [D-VT]
Sen. Jon Tester [D-MT]

S.Res.402 – A resolution designating the first day of April, 2006, as “National Asbestos Awareness Day” 109th Congress
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV] 

S.Res.43 – A resolution designating the first day of April 2005 as “National Asbestos Awareness Day” 109th Congress
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV] |
Cosponsor: Sen. Patty Murray [D-WA]