December 17 2025

ADDRI Newsletter: December 2025

From all of us at ADDRI, we wish you a joyful and safe holiday season. Thank you for your ongoing support – together we continue to advance our mission which remains more important than ever.

The recent discovery of asbestos in coloured children’s sand products caused national concern in November with parents, teachers and school communities understandably worried about any potential risks.  Our Academic and Research Director A/Prof Anthony Linton was called to speak to media across print, radio and television to provide clarity and reassurance on the health risks.  And while the risk for children and families is very small, this served as a timely reminder that asbestos is not a thing of the past – even though it has been banned in this country for over 20 years.  At the same time, silica dust remains an ongoing concern, with exposure contributing to serious lung diseases for workers and communities alike.

We are committed to preventing asbestos and dust-related diseases through research, education and advocacy – supporting communities with expert guidance every step of the way.

Thank you for walking alongside us.

A message from our Patron

National Asbestos Awareness Week in November was a time to refocus Australia’s attention on a danger that is still very much with us. The recent discovery of asbestos in coloured sand brought the risks sharply back into the national spotlight. It’s a reminder that asbestos is not a problem of the past. It can come across our borders, and with more than 6 million tonnes still present in our built environment, it remains a very real threat to the health and safety of our communities.

We are honoured to share a message from our Patron, The Governor-General Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, who speaks with great clarity and compassion about the ongoing risks of asbestos exposure, the profound impact these diseases continue to have on Australians, and the important role ADDRI plays in its mission to reduce and ultimately eliminate the impact of asbestos-relates diseases in Australia – and around the world.

Our work in 2024/25

Discover our real-world impact through our scientific research, global projects, education initiatives, and nursing support programs showcased in our newly released 2024–25 Annual Report.  We’re proud to share the progress we’ve made – and the important work still ahead.

Take a look at our Report here. 

 

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Dust Disease Diaries: Real lives, real stories of asbestos & beyond

Our 2025 podcast series showcased some of the leading voices in dust diseases here and globally, as well as the incredibly personal stories of people navigating these diseases. The conversations are raw, powerful and ultimately full of hope – and our 2026 podcast program promises to be just as strong.

You can browse and listen here.

 

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Looking ahead to 2026

Here is a glimpse of some of the exciting new initiatives we have planned:

The new Australian Clinical Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pleural mesothelioma – read more here.

Launch of the e-Toolkit for the Elimination of Silicosis and Dust-related Diseases. We recently launched the refreshed e-Toolkit for Asbestos-Related Diseases with practical information and resources to learn about risks, how to prevent exposure and how to manage asbestos-related diseases.  Browse the new e-Toolkit here.

Introducing ‘Meso Hour’ – a dedicated national online program created for people living with mesothelioma and their families. This initiative will take place on the first Tuesday of each month and will offer the opportunity to learn from leading experts and ask questions in a very supportive environment. The first session will take place on Tuesday 3 February 2026 and you can find out more and register here.

To everyone — our wonderful patient network, supporters, international partners, community advocates, donors and all those who support our work — thank you.

We look forward to sharing more progress, stories and resources with you in the coming year.

Donate now

 

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