Today, April 1, is Asbestos Awareness Day. On a national level, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is working in Washington, D.C., and around the world, to increase awareness and secure a true ban of all asbestos in the United States. Currently, asbestos is allowable in products at 1% or less by weight.

ADAO secured a senate resolution declaring April 1 as Asbestos Awareness Day, and April 1-7 as Abestos Awareness Week. You can visit the ADAO online.

Today also is Asbestos Awareness Day in Montgomery, Alabama, as designated by mayoral proclamation, signed by Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright. The local effort strives to bring the message of asbestos awareness and education to the community and to bring attention to the national effort to ban asbestos.

Asbestos exposure can lead to asbestos-related disease including asbestosis, lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. Many symptoms of mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases do not appear for 20 or more years, making it difficult to diagnose early. For this reason, the cancer is often diagnosed in late stages, making it too often deadly.

In the U.S. current statistics show 2,000-3,000 people are diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma each year, and 10,000 Americans or more die each year from all asbestos-related disease.

Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright signed a proclamation today, declaring April 1 as Asbestos Awareness Day in Montgomery, Ala., in a ceremony at his office . This proclamation goes hand-in-hand with a senate resolution declaring April 1 National Asbestos Awareness Day, and April 1-7 Asbestos Awareness Week. Asbestos Awareness Day is a project of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. (not affiliated with MyMeso)

It is hoped that the local proclamation will bring attention to national efforts to completely ban asbestos in the U.S. and raise awareness about the dangers that still exist.

In Montgomery, Asbestos Awareness Day strives to educate the public about the ongoing dangers of asbestos exposure, which can lead to asbestos-related disease such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and malignant mesothelioma.

Pictured is Wendi Lewis, Conversation Architect for Beasley Allen, receiving the proclamation from Mayor Bright.