Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Announces Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2026

Event Overview

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) has announced the 21st annual Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW), a worldwide campaign aimed at highlighting the dangers of asbestos exposure and promoting prevention. The initiative is supported by partners including the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health and the British Occupational Hygiene Society.

According to the ADAO, asbestos is a known human carcinogen with no safe level of exposure. The organisation states that while the substance is banned in more than 70 countries, it remains legal in the United States, contributing to an estimated 200,000 deaths globally each year from asbestos-related diseases.

"More than two decades after we launched Global Asbestos Awareness Week, the message remains clear. Asbestos exposure is preventable, and prevention saves lives," said Linda Reinstein, President and CEO of the ADAO. "By sharing trusted science, elevating the voices of those affected, and advancing policy solutions such as the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act (ARBAN), we can protect workers, families, and future generations from this entirely preventable disease."

Daily Themes

The campaign will share educational resources and materials in multiple languages, following a schedule of daily themes:

• April 1: Ignite the Movement: Legacy, Facts, and Cancer Prevention
• April 2: Global Asbestos Crisis: The Human Cost of Inaction
• April 3: Inspire Change: Art, Advocacy, and Action
• April 4: Demand Justice: Prevention Through Law and Policy
• April 5: Unite Globally: Workers, Health, and Safety
• April 6: Empower Prevention: Technology for Global Access
• April 7: Virtual Candlelight Vigil to Honor and Remember Asbestos Victims Worldwide

Event Details

When: 1-7 April 2026

Where: Online

Registration: Further information is available via the British Occupational Hygiene Society.