Posted on March 30, 2021
2021 Global Asbestos Awareness Week || Day TWO – April 2nd: World Health Organization Asbestos-Related Disease Fact Sheet
Day TWO: 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
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 two of GAAW, we’re highlighting the World Health Organization Asbestos-Related Disease Fact Sheet, which provides important and life-saving information about asbestos-caused illnesses. Today will also feature the story of Mavis, “I fight on for all our Meso Warriors, past, present and future.”
Throughout the 20th century, asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding, the automotive industry, and various types of manufacturing. Without a ban, asbestos remains legal and lethal in nearly 70% of countries around the world, including the United States.
Today, on GAAW Day Two, we are highlighting some critical asbestos-related resources from the World Health Organization (WHO). To have such a globally respected institution disseminating information about the dangers of asbestos is immeasurably important. See all the facts here: Key WHO Facts.
- About 125 million people in the world are exposed to asbestos at the workplace.
- All forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, are carcinogenic to humans.
Although there are more than 200,000 asbestos deaths worldwide each year, most people are unaware of its existence and dangers. To prevent asbestos-caused diseases, we must prevent exposure, which is why education, advocacy, prevention, and a global asbestos ban are vital. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung, gastrointestinal, colorectal, laryngeal, and ovarian cancers; as well as non-malignant lung and pleural disorders.
As we continue to fight for a global asbestos ban, unbiased scientific institutions like WHO are crucial in disseminating information and resources to help reduce the risk of asbestos-caused diseases. Be sure to keep up with the latest news and research coming from WHO by connecting with GBAN and ADAO on social media.
Thank you to our NGO Partner for Prevention, Dr. Gopal Krishna, who is representing India during GAAW. Gopal is the founder of Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI).
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.
Together, we make change happen.
Linda Reinstein