Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2025 and Resources to Safeguard Workers and Building Occupants

The 21^st annual Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW) takes place from April 1^st through the 7^th. The yearly campaign was started by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization and is meant to educate the public about asbestos hazards and encourage actions to prevent exposure.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes asbestos as a commercial name, not a mineralogical definition, given to a variety of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals. These include chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, actinolite, and any of these materials that have been chemically treated or altered. These minerals possess high tensile strength, flexibility, resistance to chemical and thermal degradation, and electrical resistance.

“Due to the many attributes of asbestos, it was used for decades in thousands of commercial products and building materials,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The downside is asbestos is today classified as a known human carcinogen cancer by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).”

With asbestos testing laboratories located across North America, EMSL Analytical is dedicated to protecting workers and the public from asbestos exposure risks. They offer material, industrial hygiene, and environmental testing services. EMSL also provides sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, air monitoring instruments, and personal protective equipment. A few years ago, they even sponsored an educational video about GAAW that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/CBv3JSJXVdQ

To learn more about asbestos testing resources, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675, or email info@EMSL.com. For access to asbestos or other indoor environmental quality test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail