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For the first time in the administrative region of Grand Est in northeastern France, a worker who contracted ovarian cancer as a result of occupational asbestos exposures was recognized as a sufferer of an occupational disease. During a period of 30+ years, the claimant had been exposed to asbestos dust from industrial furnaces in an earthenware factory in Sarreguemines and in a tile factory in Forbach. Her case was supported by the CFDT trade union of Freyming-Merlebach. See: Cancer des ovaires d’une ouvrière:«J'étais constamment exposée aux poussières d’amiante» [Ovarian cancer of a worker: “I was constantly exposed to asbestos dust”].

It was disclosed this week, that employees of the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) who had worked at the company’s Ripponlea studios or at Broadcast House in Melbourne died from asbestos-related diseases. An ABC spokesperson confirmed that there had been “four (4) work-related claims made in relation to asbestos-related diseases between 1990 and 2024.” The deceased were technical staff and a broadcaster; two of the deaths were in 2024. Asbestos deaths have also been reported among staff at the BBC in London, at RTVE, the national Spanish broadcaster, in Madrid and in Rome at the headquarters of Italy’s national public broadcaster RIA. See: Asbestos exposure leads to ABC deaths.

Under a project called “Russian Production,” companies which exemplify the innovative spirit behind plans to develop “effective import substitution in various industries” are being showcased. Uralasbest, Russia’s second biggest asbestos conglomerate, was one of the examples chosen. In the article, a Uralasbest spokesperson said: “chrysotile [asbestos] is safe for health when used in a controlled manner. In fact, chrysotile asbestos has been used in Russia for over 100 years… its use in various industries has not caused the spread of any diseases.” See: Хризотил или «Горный Лен»: «Солидарность» Побывала на Комбинате «Ураласбест» [Chrysotile or “Mountain Flax”: “Solidarity” Visited the “Uralasbest” Plant].

At a Turin Court on February 17 in a case proceeding against Swiss asbestos billionaire Stephan Schmidheiny, one of the expert witnesses for the prosecution Professor Corrado Magnani described the “accelerator effect” by which prolonged asbestos exposure “accelerates the evolution of mesothelioma.” Asbestos factory workers in Italy, Magnani told the Court, were increasingly likely to die prematurely the more asbestos they were exposed to. The defendant is facing charges of voluntary homicide with malice over the asbestos deaths of 392 workers and local people in the town of Casale Monferrato. See: Processo Eternit bis, la perizia: "Ogni esposizione all'amianto accelera la malattia" [Eternit bis trial, the expert report: Every exposure to asbestos accelerates the disease”].

A headline article in the Sunday February 16, 2025 issue of Scottish newspaper the Daily Record disclosed that one of the country’s biggest construction companies, Springfield Properties Plc, had been accused by subcontractor Martin McGowan of burying asbestos waste under hundreds of new homes. Damning court documents were made public after the company was fined £10,000 for breaking health and safety laws. Details of the legal action can be accessed online: Martin McGowan v Springfield Properties Plc. McGowan is now suing the company for compensation believed to be in the region of £1.3 million. See: Scots housebuilder and SNP donor accused of burying asbestos dust under homes.

The February 17th press statement cited below conveyed yet another win by Indonesian campaigners against asbestos vested interests. After six months of hearings, motions and deliberations, Chief Judge of the Central Jakarta District Court Marper Pandiangan threw out legal arguments by the asbestos manufacturers association (FICMA) which had sought huge damages from civil society groups following a March 2024 Supreme Court ruling mandating warning labels for asbestos roofing products. See: Menang! Penjualan Atap Asbes Harus Cantumkan Label Peringatan [Win! Asbestos Roof Sales Must Include Warning Labels].

Means to secure the early detection of mesothelioma, the signature asbestos cancer, has long been a goal of researchers. Last week, it was announced that scientists from Sheffield Hallam University had pioneered a non-invasive test which could identify “cancer markers” or “red flags” in a breath sample. According to Dr Sarah Haywood-Small, associate head of the university's school of biosciences and chemistry: “The human breath contains valuable biological information—offering a window into our body's metabolism … By learning to read these signals, we can detect diseases earlier, monitor conditions more accurately, and potentially save lives.” See: Scientists developing ‘breath test’ for cancer.

Last week, the Court of Rome called for an uplift in the pension paid to an aeronautical technician, who had been employed by Alitalia for 23 years, due to workplace asbestos exposures experienced whilst maintaining the company’s fleet of aircraft. The Labor Judge condemned The National Institute for Social Security (INPS) for initially rejecting the claim and ordered it to increase monthly pension payments by €500 (US$525) and pay arrears of €35,000 (US$36,700). The claimant has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition. See: Amianto in Alitalia: l’Inps condannata a adeguare la pensione di un ex tecnico aeronautico esposto alla fibra killer [Asbestos in Alitalia: INPS ordered to adjust the pension of a former aeronautical technician exposed to killer fiber].

With awareness growing regarding the asbestos hazard on Prince Edward’s Island (PEI), Canada, demand for the services of asbestos removal contractors is outstripping technical capacity. Compounding the growth in public concern is an increasing demand for renovation work which can only be undertaken once asbestos contamination has been removed. Not only are people on PEI keen to increase energy efficiency of their homes, but they are also eager to repair structural damage caused by Hurricane Fiona (2022). See: Le nombre de permis pour l’enlèvement de l’amiante a doublé à l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard [Number of permits for asbestos removal has doubled in Prince Edward Island].

On February 11, 2025, the administrative court of Nantes ordered the city of Cholet, in western France to reimburse the Asbestos Victims Compensation Fund (FIVA) the sum of €66,000 (US$69,255) which it had paid out for the 2015 asbestos cancer death of a former employee. The deceased had been employed as a supervisor by the municipality from 1961 to 1993 during which time the authorities had failed to protect him from toxic workplace exposures. See: Agent exposé à l’amiante: 66,000 € à la charge de la ville de Cholet [Agent exposed to asbestos: €66,000 to be paid by the city of Cholet].

On February 15, Ulsan City, South Korea announced that a budget of 92.48 million won (US$64,200) had been allocated for the removal and disposal of asbestos-cement roofing. These funds would help progress decontamination work of 13 residential and 4 non-residential buildings. According to an official spokesperson: “As asbestos is harmful to the human body and be can be liberated from old tiles, we will continue to support the cost of work to remove asbestos-cement roofing.” See: 울산 북구, 석면 슬레이트 지붕 철거에 9천만원 지원 [Ulsan Buk-gu donates KRW 90 million to demolish asbestos tile roofs].

Following an investigation into the illegal dumping of asbestos-containing waste in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales (NSW), the NSW Environment Protection Agency (EPA) secured fines totalling $200,000 at the Parramatta Local Court from construction company He Co Pty Ltd. and its director George Khouzame. “This is,” said EPA’s Director of Operations Adam Gilligan “one of the largest fines ever secured for providing false or misleading information to the EPA and reflects the seriousness of Mr Khouzame’s actions, which could have hindered a major investigation into serious environmental offences.” See: Construction company fined $200,000 for providing false information to the EPA.

A report was uploaded this month (February 2025) by the Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) which had been tasked in 2022 by the New South Wales (NSW) Minister for the Environment with examining the use of asbestos-contaminated recycled waste in NSW. The OCSE’s 106-page final report concluded that “the current regulation of asbestos in waste needs to change”; there be a strict ban on the reuse of asbestos waste”; that the disposal of asbestos waste only be allowed at “facilities specifically licensed to receive that waste.” See: Management of asbestos in recovered fines and recovered materials for beneficial reuse in NSW.

The properties, history and adverse effects of using asbestos were the focus of the Chinese language article cited below. Having explained that exposures to asbestos had been linked to several deadly diseases and cancers, the author asked why such a deadly substance was still being used in China. Highlighting the need for “vigilance,” it was concluded that given the high level of current demand for asbestos in China, it was not possible at this time to replace it with safer substitutes. See: 60多国禁用，石棉危害真的很大吗？为何我们还在用？ [More than 60 countries have banned it, is asbestos really harmful? Why are we still using it?].

An upgrade to the Bellflower water main project undertaken by a Los Angeles offshoot of the nationwide utility American Water, at a cost of $4.5 million, replaced “8,510 linear feet of aging 4 and 6-inch asbestos cement water main with new 8-inch ductile iron pipes, installing new service pipes for 170 customers…” According to the company, the work was done to safeguard public health and the environment. See: California American Water Completes $4.5M Los Angeles Water System Upgrades.

Members of the Italian Association of Families Exposed to Asbestos (AFEA) last week mounted a public demonstration on the failure to implement a ruling by the Supreme Court which had “recognized the right to exemption from personal income tax of pension payments” for people recognized as victims of duty, such as naval and other personnel who contracted asbestos-related diseases during military service. This campaign has been ongoing since 2017; during that time many AFEA members have died from their injuries. See: L’amianto come pane quotidiano, in cento scendono in piazza. Afea: “Cassazione ha riconosciuto l’esenzione Irpef dalla pensione, va [..., a hundred take to the streets. AFEA: "Supreme Court recognized Irpef exemption from pension, goes].

A statement issued on February 13th conveyed news of yet another win by Indonesian campaigners against asbestos vested interests. After six months of hearings, motions and deliberations, Chief Judge of the Central Jakarta District Court Marper Pandiangan threw out legal arguments by the asbestos manufacturers association (FICMA) which had sought huge damages from civil society groups following a March 2024 Supreme Court ruling mandating warning labels for asbestos roofing products. FICMA has until the middle of March to file an appeal. [Read full article]

News that the Republic of Moldova banned asbestos late last year must have sent a seismic shock to asbestos producers in Russia and Kazakhstan. Although Moldova had in recent years consumed little or no asbestos – in 2022 Moldova imported a mere $16,400 worth of asbestos, 80% of which came from Russia – the elimination of yet another national market will almost certainly intensify the high level of anxiety being experienced by asbestos stakeholders. Throughout the region, asbestos markets are looking increasingly unstable with mounting challenges of pro-asbestos rhetoric and growing awareness among national governments of the high costs being incurred by society for industry profits. [Read full article]

In the run-up to the glitzy 2025 awards season which sees recognition for stars of stage and screen, the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS) is acknowledging impactful work of a different kind. Winners of the Screen Actors Guild, the Academy Awards, the Golden Globe and Critics Choice receive imposing and tasteful statuettes to mark their successes. Not so the “winners” of the IBAS Devil’s Dust Awards 2025 whose ruthless promotion of an acknowledged carcinogen and/or suppression of victims’ rights have earned them a rather revolting accolade: a virtual avatar appropriately nicknamed the Lucifer. With so many potential candidates, it was hard to chose this year’s “winners.” The entities named in this years Dishonors List come from Brazil, France & Indonesia. Want to know more? Read on. [Read full article]

As recently as 2020, Russia was the world’s leading supplier of asbestos, accounting for 65% of global output. A mere three years later this figure had fallen to 48% with Russian producers facing falling demand and increasing competition. In the December 2024 newsletter produced by Uralasbest, Russia’s second biggest asbestos conglomerate, its General Director explained that among the challenges the company faced in 2024 were bureaucratic hurdles and logistical obstructions – i.e. persistent and continuing disruptions to asbestos cargo rail shipments. What he failed to mention, however, was the progress being achieved by global campaigners which has “significantly reduced the possibility of exporting chrysotile asbestos… [and created] the crisis faced by asbestos-producing businesses.” [Read full article]

Against the backdrop of a continuing decrease in global asbestos consumption, work to quantify and address toxic industrial legacies was continued this year by grassroots campaigners, civil society stakeholders, national, regional and international authorities. Amongst high-profile topics debated in multiple jurisdictions were the asbestos contamination of schools, water delivery systems and the built environment; the risks posed by asbestos in personal hygiene products and cosmetics; and the unregulated and unsafe dumping of asbestos waste. Technological developments and the building of infrastructure by asbestos stakeholders made manifest their intention to continue profiting from asbestos sales despite the health hazards. It is clear that despite our many successes, much work remains to be done. [Read full article]

In light of many positive comments he has made over the last 30+ years about the efficacy of asbestos – eg. “asbestos is the greatest fireproofing material ever used” – international campaigners have been discussing what the new Presidency of Donald Trump could mean for the global asbestos dialogue. Two US experts consulted by the author of this article felt that given the small amount of asbestos used in the US now and the pending abolition of most uses, Trump would have little interest in attacking the new asbestos prohibitions being introduced. One can but hope. [Read full article]

Last week, global ban asbestos groups issued a joint press release in defence of Indonesian activists at the Independent Consumer Protection Institute (LPKSM), the Yasa Nata Budi Foundation and the Indonesian Ban Asbestos Network (INABAN) working to protect the population from deadly exposures to asbestos. In a blatant disregard for occupational and public health, the Fiber Cement Manufacturing Association – a powerful and well-resourced trade association representing the interests of the asbestos industry – is suing the campaigners for “massive damages” after a Supreme Court ruling upheld their petition to mandate labelling on asbestos products. [Read full article]

Mobilization on the asbestos hazard has been ongoing in Pacific Islands Countries and Territories for a number of years with work by personnel from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme and partnering organizations bringing positive results, such as the 2024 ban on asbestos imports and use in the Republic of Nauru (gazetted on October 10 and 30, respectively). Significant developments in protecting populations from deadly asbestos exposures have also been achieved in Niue, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. In the shadow of the UN’s 29th Climate Change Conference, it is clearer than ever that asbestos technology is neither sustainable nor acceptable and must be banned. [Read full article]

The International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS) was founded in November 1999 by Laurie Kazan-Allen in collaboration with colleagues in North and Latin America, Asia, Europe and Australia to achieve justice for the injured and coalesce the global fight to ban asbestos. Over the next 25 years, this virtual consortium of activists organized, sponsored or participated in events and initiated or supported projects to achieve these objectives on six continents. The article marking IBAS’ 25th anniversary recalled the challenges faced, the memories amassed, the victories achieved and the setbacks faced. Input from global ban asbestos campaigners included in this review delineated the “IBAS Effect” as they experienced it. [Read full article]

On November 19 & 20, 2024, delegates from Southeast Asia, Australia and Japan convened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a meeting organized by the Asian Ban Asbestos Network (ABAN), its international and local partners. At the completion of the event, a joint press release was issued calling on the Malaysian Government “to urgently impose an outright ban on all types of asbestos products being manufactured in the country and halt any further imports of chrysotile asbestos fibre.” According to Malaysian trade union official David Arul, asbestos use “persists in several Malaysian industries, exposing countless workers to preventable harm.” [Read full article]

Some might think that the holding last month (October 2024) of a meeting in Russia to progress peace and stability amongst nations belonging to the BRICS coalition might be deemed inappropriate given Russia’s continuing attacks on Ukraine. Nevertheless, representatives of 35 countries and 6 international organizations turned up in droves to the 16th annual BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. The participants were addressed by President Putin who spoke of “mutual respect,” “open dialogue,” and “sovereign policies.” A mysterious article, which appeared and disappeared after a few hours, however, revealed that Russia’s motivation for the creation and support of BRICS was totally self-serving, citing its importance in expanding foreign markets for home-grown asbestos. [Read full article]

In recent weeks there has been a flurry of media coverage in newspapers and online about various aspects of the UK’s asbestos epidemic. Simultaneously, the Daily Mail launched a campaign – Asbestos: Britain's Hidden Killer – to establish a digital national asbestos database to prevent avoidable exposures as part of “a long-term strategic plan to eradicate asbestos risk from British infrastructure.” It’s pretty damning that more than a century after the asbestos hazard was first acknowledged by the British Government, so little has been done. One can but hope that the new 335 MPs, who constitute a majority of the House of Commons, will be more proactive on this deadly workplace hazard than their predecessors. [Read full article]

Proposals to ban asbestos are currently under consideration by the Mexican Congress with a discussion of the latest draft of the Asbestos Eradication Law scheduled for October 24, 2024 in the Legislative Palace. For years medical experts and civil society groups in Mexico have been calling for action on the asbestos hazard. Now that asbestos use has dwindled to 40 tonnes/year, these calls are being acted on. The loss of the Mexican asbestos market will have less of an impact than the loss of support from Mexican asbestos stakeholders who have vigorously participated in initiatives by industry lobbyists to influence national, regional and global asbestos dialogues. [Read full article]

As the 21st century dawned, China was both the world’s second biggest asbestos-consuming (382,315 tonnes/t) and producing (315,000t) country. By 2022, however, annual usage had fallen to 261,000t (a decrease of 32%) and production to 130,000t (a 59% fall). Figures for the last few years corroborated the continued decline. The reason for this U-turn was explained in a paper published last month which stated that China’s official policy on asbestos had undergone a major shift in 2013-14; intriguingly, the co-authors gave no more information and declined to provide footnotes to substantiate this statement. This being the case, the content of another September article was in direct contrast to observed trends. Want to know more…. [Read full article]

Just when you thought you had seen it all, you realize you were wrong. The lengths to which asbestos pushers will go to continue to ride the asbestos gravy train truly knows no bounds. This year, an asbestos trade association – Indonesia’s Fibre Cement Manufacturers’ Association (FICMA) – is trialing a new legal stratagem designed to: counteract a Supreme Court ruling unfavorable to the asbestos sector and cower campaigners brave enough to challenge the industry’s dominance. The audacity of this legal manoeuvre is breathtaking and, to my knowledge, totally unprecedented. The FICMA lawsuit, which targeted the consumers’ protection organization that had petitioned the Supreme Court to mandate Government action on the asbestos hazard, is claiming substantial damages from the NGO for loss of future profits. [Read full article]

Romana Blasotti Pavesi was a member of a club that no one wanted to join; she lost her husband Mario, daughter Maria Rosa, son Ottavio, sister Libera, nephew Enrico and cousin Anna to the asbestos cancer mesothelioma. Only Mario had worked with asbestos. All the others had been exposed to carcinogenic fibers in the built environment and in the air of their home town Casale Monferrato, the municipality at the center of Italy’s asbestos epidemic. In the face of her own losses and those of so many others, Romana dedicated her life to “the fight against asbestos.” The news of Romana’s death, at the age of 95 on September 11, 2024, sparked off intensive media coverage at home and a global outpouring of appreciation from fellow campaigners. [Read full article]

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Demonstration in Woluwe Park, Brussels, 2006

Under cloudy skies, members of Belgian and French Asbestos Victims' Associations from Dunkirk and Bourgogne marched side-by-side in the third annual demonstration organized by ABEVA, the Belgian Association of Asbestos Victims. Erik Jonckheere, ABEVA's Co-chairman, condemned the government which still refuses to recognize the plight of the asbestos injured.

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