Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases may feel like a highly personal experience, but they represent a problem that affects people all around the world.
As a result, international organizations have joined hands and linked their efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos exposure.
Although this is a 365-day a year mission, the groups’ actions are highlighted each year on Global Asbestos Awareness Week, marked this year between April 1 and April 7th.
While the U.S. sees approximately 3,500 mesothelioma diagnoses each year and 12,000 to 15,000 asbestos-related deaths per year overall, nearly 200,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases each year around the world.
The carcinogenic material has been used for a variety of purposes since the days of Ancient Greece, but truly took hold during the Industrial Revolution. Though most industrialized nations cut back on its use dramatically after its hazards were proven and publicized, it continues to be used in many developing nations.
Educating the world about asbestos’ dangers are a big part of the Global Asbestos Awareness Week observation, which is focusing on four explicit topics:
- Banning the mining, manufacturing , and use of asbestos
- Preventing exposure to asbestos
- Improving the enforcement of and compliance with existing asbestos laws and regulations
- Strengthening the partnerships between international asbestos awareness agencies
One of the highlights of the international observance has been the airing of a thirty-second public service announcement video called “Asbestos: The Killer You Can’t See.”
The animated message is being broadcast in six languages, and tells the story of a child losing her father to an asbestos-related disease.
Speaking of this year’s observation, head of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) Linda Reinstein said, “The simple truth is asbestos kills and prevention remains the only cure. Asbestos-caused diseases like mesothelioma can take years, even decades, to kill, but the hidden risk of asbestos fibers only takes a few heartbeats to tell.”
If you or someone you love has been affected by mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can give you the information you need to address it head on. Call us today at 1-800-692-8608.
