Posted on March 1, 2022
Join us for Global Asbestos Awareness Week on April 1 – 7!
Each year, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization dedicates April 1-7 to increasing awareness of the dangers of asbestos and preventing exposure to the known carcinogen. We do this by bringing together experts and victims from around the world to share, learn, and take action.
Asbestos causes various fatal diseases 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 entirely preventable. This year, ADAO reminds all about the need for unity in prevention and education with the theme “Asbestos: One word. One week. One world.”
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. GAAW, throughout recent history, has played an impactful role in the collective mission to end asbestos importation and use once and for all. 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 17 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 strength and collaboration between our partners, this year’s GAAW will focus on:
- Banning the mining, manufacturing, and use of all six asbestos fibers around the world
- Preventing asbestos exposure
- Increasing compliance and enforcement of existing laws and regulations
- Strengthening international partnerships to protect public health
Unity is one of our greatest assets and we love to collaborate with leading international nonprofit organizations for Global Asbestos Awareness Week. Join us and our 2022 International Ambassadors and Partners for Prevention from around the world for a memorable week of awareness and action!
As we come together from all corners of the world, we invite all to continue sharing their stories, especially during this week of awareness. Submit your stories here and via the comments section in our Change.org petition. If you haven’t already, we invite you to sign the petition and support our efforts for a comprehensive asbestos ban.
Finally, a special thanks to Platinum Sponsor, Simmons Hanly Conroy; Gold Sponsor, Gori Law Firm and our Silver Sponsors, Bailey Glasser LLP and Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen for making our work in awareness and prevention possible.
Linda Reinstein
Social Networks
Global Asbestos Awareness Week Schedule:
DAY ONE
2022 Global Asbestos Awareness Week || 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”
Press Release: ADAO Launches 18th Annual “Global Asbestos Awareness Week” April 1-7, 2022
Leadership Quote from Patrick Morrison, International Association of Fire Fighter
Featured 30-Second PSA Video: “Asbestos: The Killer You Can’t See”
2022 Partners for Prevention: Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Information Association, Occupational Safety and Health Africa, Associação Brasileira dos Expostos ao Amianto and the Mavis Nye Foundation
2022 Platinum Sponsor Simmons Hanly Conroy
DAY TWO
2022 Global Asbestos Awareness Week || 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.”
Leadership Quote from Arthur Frank, MD, PhD ADAO Science Advisory Board
Press Release (Hindi): एस्बेस्टॉस डिज़ीज़ अवेयरनेस आर्गेनाइजेशन (ADAO) ने 18वांवार्षिक “ग्लोबल एस्बेस्टॉस अवेयरनेस वीक” 1-7 अप्रैल, 2022 लांच किया
Featured Video: 30 second PSA: “एस्बेस्टोस: द किलर आप देख नहीं सकते”
2022 Partner for Prevention: Mavis Nye Foundation
2022 Gold Sponsor The Gori Law Firm
DAY THREE
2022 Global Asbestos Awareness Week || Day THREE – April 3rd: Asbestos Awareness Fueled by Art and Advocacy Featuring Jordan Zevon and Earl Dotter
Remembering Warren Zevon (USA) — Read his story “My Hero, the World’s Hero”
Leadership Quote from Earl Dotter, Award-winning Photojournalist
Press Release (Spanish): La «Organización de Concienciación sobre la Enfermedad del Amianto» (ADAO, por sus siglas en inglés) lanza su «18.a Semana Mundial de Concienciación sobre el Amianto» del 1 al 7 de abril del 2022
Featured Video: PSA 30 Second Video: “Asbesto: El asesino que no puedes ver”
2022 Partner for Prevention: Environmental Information Association (EIA)
2022 Gold Sponsor The Gori Law Firm
DAY FOUR
2022 Global Asbestos Awareness Week || Day FOUR – April 4th: Asbestos: Partnering for Prevention
Remembering Mike Mattmuller, (USA) — Read his story “Staying Positive”
Leadership Quote from Louise Hosking, President of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
Press Release (Russian): Организация по информированию о заболеваниях, вызываемых асбестом, (ADAO) проводит 18-ю ежегодную «Всемирную неделю осведомленности об асбесте» с 1 по 7 апреля 2022 года
Featured Video: “Асбест: убийца, которого вы не видите“
2022 Partner for Prevention: Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
2022 Platinum Sponsor Simmons Hanly Conroy
DAY FIVE
2022 Global Asbestos Awareness Week || Day FIVE – April 5th: Global Action to Ban Asbestos in the USA and Around the World
Featuring Julie (USA) — Read her story “The Power of Public Health Advocacy: A Patient’s Perspective”
Leadership Quote from Fernanda Giannasi, ABREA
Press Release (Portuguese): A Organização de Consciencialização sobre a Asbestose (ADAO) Lança a 18.ª “Semana Global Anual de Consciencialização sobre o Amianto”, que terá lugar de 1 a 7 de abril de 2022
Featured Video: “Amianto: O assassino que você não pode ver”
2022 Partners for Prevention: Associação Brasileira dos Expostos ao Amianto (ABREA)
2022 Platinum Sponsor Simmons Hanly Conroy
DAY SIX
2022 Global Asbestos Awareness Week || 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!”
Leadership Quote from Raja Flores, MD, Chair of Thoracic Surgery Mt. Sinai, & ADAO Science Advisory Board
Press Release (French): L’ADAO (Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization) organise sa 18ème « Semaine annuelle de sensibilisation mondiale à l’amiante » du 1er au 7 avril 2022
Featured Video: “L’amiante: le tueur que vous ne voyez pas”
2022 Partner for Prevention: Occupational Safety and Health Africa Foundation (OSHAfrica)
Special thanks to 2022 Sponsors: Platinum Simmons Hanly Conroy; Gold The Gori Law Firm and Silver Bailey Glasser LLP and Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen for making our work in awareness and prevention possible.
DAY SEVEN
2022 Global Asbestos Awareness Week || Day SEVEN – April 7th: Candle Light Vigil to Honor and Remember Asbestos Victims Worldwide
Remembering Paul, (USA) — Read his story “Dust into Gold: Banning Asbestos Is Good Business”
Leadership Quote from Richard Lemen, PhD, MSPH, & ADAO Science Advisory Board Member
2022 Partner for Prevention: Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)