Once considered a highly versatile and durable building material, asbestos became recognised as a silent killer responsible for thousands of deaths each year, causing serious conditions like lung cancer and mesothelioma. Unfortunately, asbestos is often still present in buildings built before 2000, found anywhere from loft insulation to asbestos popcorn ceilings.
To keep the fight going to combat asbestos-related diseases, Global Asbestos Awareness Week takes place in April. It aims to increase awareness, educate about ongoing dangers and advocate for the prevention of asbestos exposure.
Want to know more about how Global Asbestos Awareness Week affects you? Let’s take a look at this significant campaign and the ways you can help improve asbestos awareness.
What is Global Asbestos Awareness Week?
Global Asbestos Awareness Week takes place every year at the start of April. Its goal is to bring individuals, businesses and communities together in a worldwide effort to raise awareness about the risks and dangers of asbestos exposure.
This week-long campaign aims to inform about the risks linked to asbestos-containing materials still present in many buildings and structures while promoting preventative measures. It also provides support to individuals affected by asbestos-related illnesses.
Throughout the week, various initiatives, online events and partnership campaigns will provide information to increase asbestos awareness, from personal stories and webinars to recommending safe alternatives to asbestos.
What will Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2024 look at?
Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2024 (starting 1st April) will focus on furthering its ongoing mission to promote asbestos awareness and prevention. This includes highlighting the health risks associated with exposure to asbestos fibres and the devastating impact on individuals and families, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
The campaign also advocates for tighter global regulations and policies to protect workers, consumers and communities from exposure. This includes better workplace safety standards across the world and increased funding for asbestos research and patient support.
The week aims to engage wide-reaching communities, from schools and healthcare professionals to policymakers. Efforts include virtual town halls, social media campaigns and educational resources tailored to different audiences to ensure widespread dissemination of information.
What can we do to improve asbestos awareness in the UK?
In the UK, asbestos-related diseases continue to pose a significant public health concern, as highlighted by the recent crumbling concrete scandal in schools and hospitals. There are still lots of things we can do to better asbestos awareness and decrease the risks.
Education and training are key in the workplace, so businesses and organisations should consider implementing comprehensive asbestos awareness training programs, especially those in high-risk industries, such as construction and maintenance.
We also need to do more to highlight the risks to homeowners and landlords, so they remain aware of asbestos-containing materials in older buildings. Many people, especially first-time homeowners, may not realise the importance of proper asbestos management and removal.
Do you need help with asbestos management and removals? Contact us
Goodbye Asbestos operates across London, Surrey and the Home Counties. We offer asbestos sampling and removal services in Haslemere, Havant and surrounding areas.
For free asbestos advice, contact us.
