Asbestos Awareness: Making a Difference Every Day
Awareness & Research
Written by Tamron Little | Edited By Walter Pacheco
Asbestos Awareness Week, held annually the first week of April, is now over. We’ve shared the dangers of asbestos, the impact asbestos exposure has on people’s lives, and we’ve posted videos and pictures to help others understand how important it is to have asbestos completely banned in the United States.
Now what? What do we do next?
This reminds me of when I first got married. I did everything I could to plan for my wedding. My wedding day came, and then we had our honeymoon. But what do you do after the honeymoon is over? I have simple answer for you: Keep it going!
As a peritoneal mesothelioma survivor, it wouldn’t be right for me to only share about the dangers of asbestos for one week out of the year. Mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos fibers, so getting the word out is vital.
During Asbestos Awareness Week I had so many people on social media chime in on this topic, whether they knew of someone who was exposed or wanted to know how they could have been exposed due to their line of work.
I take it as confirmation that sharing my story is needed, as well as sharing the impact asbestos has on people’s lives.
Raising Asbestos Awareness All Year Long
I came up with a list of ways we can all continue to spread asbestos awareness, even beyond Asbestos Awareness Week.
- Keep sharing your story. Whether it’s on social media, through your church group, etc., share with others about how you were exposed to asbestos.
- Repost. Reposting what experts share on social media can help others. The Mesothelioma Center posts great content on its social media pages and its website. Repost some of this information and share it with your family, friends and followers. Sharing is caring and will indeed help someone who reads it.
- Stay up to date. Keep up with the latest information from the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization and others and check out current awareness initiatives.
- Participate. See how you can join local or national efforts to help spread asbestos awareness.
- Contact your representatives. Write to your local member of Congress and share the story of how asbestos impacted your life and why it should be banned.
Working Toward an Asbestos Ban
I was reading the latest news from the Environmental Protection Agency and discovered they have recently proposed a ban on a type of asbestos called chrysotile. This will prohibit all uses of the substance, which currently can be found in diaphragms for the chloralkali industry, some automotive brake linings, vehicle friction products, gaskets and more.
It’s definitely a huge step in the right direction, but we need more action. It’s vital to educate people on a national level about the dangers of asbestos exposure. We’ve got to voice our concerns. I do believe the more we share our stories, the more we share the dangers of asbestos, the more we will call attention to it and have it completely banned.
So, continue to make a difference every day. Do what you can – share your story, share your loved one’s stories. Do your part to help spread asbestos awareness and let’s all make a difference. By sharing our stories and letting our voices be heard, we can help protect others.
