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Global Asbestos Awareness Week | April 1-7 2023

GAAW is also a good time to support asbestos victims. Asbestos exposure can lead to serious diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis. Because these diseases can have long latency periods, it can take years after exposure for symptoms to appear. Even if a global ban is put in place, asbestos-related diseases will continue to be a global issue for years to come. This means the sooner a global ban is enacted, the sooner asbestos diseases can start declining.

Working Towards an Asbestos-Free Future

Shaping a world where no one is at risk of asbestos will still require plenty of work. Governments, awareness organizations, medical professionals, researchers and the general population all have roles to play. But a lot of progress has been made, and GAAW is also a time to celebrate successes.

In April 2022, the EPA proposed a new rule to ban chrysotile asbestos. The rule would ban the import, distribution, manufacturing, processing and commercial use of chrysotile asbestos.

To achieve a global ban, frameworks are necessary. Two international conventions offer guidelines for asbestos bans:

  • The International Labor Organization (ILO) C162 Asbestos Convention
  • The United Nations (UN) Basel Convention

Countries that adopt these conventions have a head start on enacting an asbestos ban over countries that don’t.

New and improved treatments for asbestos-related illnesses continue to be researched and developed. Recent advances in treatment have helped improve outcomes for mesothelioma patients. Scientists continue to look for new and effective treatments for asbestos victims.

What Can You Do to Observe GAAW?

International organizations and governments aren’t the only ones who can help raise asbestos awareness and make a change. Every person can make a difference. A few examples of actions individuals can take include:

  • Educating yourself on asbestos facts and risks
  • Contacting politicians and encouraging them to pass stricter laws and regulations for asbestos
  • Attending educational, awareness and fundraising asbestos-focused events
  • Promoting asbestos awareness information on social media
  • Signing petitions to establish national bans on asbestos
  • Donating to asbestos awareness nonprofits, treatment and support groups and research organizations

Every Global Asbestos Awareness Week offers an annual opportunity to build a safer world with a brighter, asbestos-free future.

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