The 20th Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW) takes place this week from April 1st through the 7th. The annual event is meant to raise public awareness of asbestos hazards and diseases that continue to impact people around the globe, and promote ways to prevent exposure to deadly asbestos fibers., , , , Asbestos is a generic name given to six fibrous minerals that have been used in commercial products for decades. Asbestos is still used in some countries, but even in places like the United.