News Archive

The latest development in the long running saga that is the battle by Italian asbestos victims to hold Swiss asbestos billionaire Stephen Schmidhieny to account for damage done by the operations of Italian factories owned by the Swiss Eternit Asbestos Group was a Turin Court of Appeal ruling last month which found him guilty of the asbestos deaths of dozens of workers and residents. The defendant was sentenced to 9.5 years for the manslaughter of 91 people. See: Eternit bis, i giudici su Schmidheiny: “Sapeva dei rischi ma scelse di ignorarli” [Eternit retrial: Judges on Schmidheiny: “He knew the risks but chose to ignore them”].

Asbestos Alert!

Oct 24, 2025

A commentary in the Guardian newspaper on October 20, 2025 highlighted the fallout from the continued failure to address the UK’s deadly asbestos legacy. According to the author Tom White, much of the 6 million tonnes of asbestos imported into the UK during the 20th century remains hidden within the national infrastructure. This toxic material is deteriorating; as it does so, carcinogenic fibers are liberated thereby endangering the health of anyone in the vicinity such as workers, building users and members of the public. The laissez-faire attitude towards asbestos in the UK was compared unfavorably to policies adopted by governments in Korea and Australia to minimize toxic exposures. See: It’s still killing people, and the government has yet to act: Britain’s hidden asbestos epidemic.

Canari’s “Project of the Century”

Oct 24, 2025

According to business owners in Canari, Corsica, the ongoing asbestos decontamination work on the site of the island’s former asbestos factory – termed the “Construction Project of the Century” – has not been a boon to local businesses. Although the authorities promised that 15% of the budget, €1+ million (US$1.16m), would go to islanders, anecdotal evidence shows that most of the companies employed at the site were from mainland France. See: Démolition de l'usine d'amiante de Canari: les entreprises corses relativisent l'impact économique [Demolition of the Canari asbestos factory: Corsican companies put the economic impact into perspective].

New Asbestos Trade Data

Oct 24, 2025

Data obtained last week from India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry showed a remarkable development in asbestos imports. In the aftermath of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Brazil became the largest asbestos exporter to India, the world’s largest asbestos market. This position had for many years been held by Russian producers. While Brazil was India’s largest supplier in 2022-23 and 2023-24 exporting 175,994 tonnes [t] and 155,437t respectively compared to Russia’s 96,306t and 129,700t, in 2024-25 Russia resumed its traditional position sending 192,611t to India compared to Brazil’s 133,807t. In recent years, Kazakhstan’s asbestos exports to India also increased from 1,010t in 2020-21 to a peak of 25,168t in 2021-22 before falling in 2024-25 to 19,528t. See: Indian Asbestos Imports 2017-2025.

Asbestos in Schools

Oct 24, 2025

Asbestos contamination of schools in Italy remains widespread; ~5% of the country’s schools, used by 352,000 students and 50,000 teachers and school staff, are affected. Campaigners are petitioning Giuseppe Valditara, the Minister of Education, to implement a nationwide program to prioritize the eradication of the asbestos hazard from the educational infrastructure, provide health monitoring of staff and students, and set up a compensation protocol for the injured. See: Asbestos, thousands of schools contaminated: Italy is lagging behind in removal.

Removal of Asbestos from Schools too Slow

Oct 24, 2025

On October 15, 2025, new data was published by the Ministry of Education which showed that the number of schools in South Korea still containing asbestos exceeded 1,725. According to national guidelines, asbestos removal work at schools is carried out during vacations so as not to disrupt the work of the schools. Critics say that due to the slow speed of progress in eradicating the hazard, the deadline of 2027 for the asbestos decontamination of schools is looking in jeopardy. See: 전국 유치원·학교 1725곳에 '석면'…"2027년까지 제거는 현실적으로 어려워" [‘Asbestos’ in 1,725 kindergartens and schools across the country... “realistically it will be difficult to remove by 2027”].

Victim’s Verdict in Lecce

Oct 20, 2025

Earlier this month, Judge Daniele Gallucci of the Civil Court of Lecce, southern Italy ordered the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to pay compensation of €1 million (US $1.16m) to the family of an 80-year old mesothelioma victim. The MoD was also ordered to pay legal costs of €18,000+ as well as other unspecified costs. According to the judge, there was a causal link between the deceased’s asbestos cancer and the exposure to asbestos he experienced between 1954 and 1994 during his naval service. See: Il Tribunale di Lecce condanna il Ministero della Difesa: 1 mln di euro ai familiari dell’operaio morto per amianto [The Court of Lecce condemns the Ministry of Defense: 1 million euros to the family of the worker who died of asbestos].

Good News from the DMPS!

Oct 20, 2025

According to news released by the Department for Work and Pensions, compensation tariffs paid under the UK’s Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS), the last resort for mesothelioma victims unable to obtain compensation from former employers, will be increased by 49%. When the DMPS was set up in 2014, claimants received 80% of an average compensation payout; this was increased in 2015 to 100% with a fixed award of £7,000 for legal costs. Since then, payments have lagged behind increasing court awards and inflation. While more improvements are still needed, campaigning solicitors welcomed these changes. See: Asbestos claims lawyers welcome increase to Mesothelioma Scheme awards.

Asbestos on EU Agenda

Oct 20, 2025

The text cited below described a September 24, 2025 workshop entitled: Asbestos – Europe's Silent Killer – The Fight Isn't Over which took place at the European Parliament headquarters in Brussels. The session was organized by Per Clausen, a Member of the European Parliament representing the eco-socialist political party from Denmark: Enhedslisten. During this event, a powerful new asbestos documentary – Moral Fibre / La Fibra Sensible – by Spanish film director Isabel Andrés Portí was screened. Following the film, representatives of Belgian asbestos victims, trade unionists and MEPs had a wide-ranging discussion about the deadly hazard posed by asbestos material hidden within EU countries. See: The Commission's “simplification” agenda should not become “simply” dying from Asbestos.

Psychological Needs of Asbestos Patients

Oct 20, 2025

Between 2021-2022, a team of Italian researchers examined the psychological impact of asbestos exposures among 362 at-risk workers participating in the Tuscany Region’s health surveillance program. The focus of this investigation was: risk perception, emotional distress and evaluation of available health services. The co-authors of the paper cited below highlighted the “need for integrated mental health support within health surveillance programs” and recommended that psychological interventions, including counselling and education, be provided as well as medical monitoring. See: The psychological impact of asbestos exposure: risk perception and emotional distress among former workers in Tuscany.

Asbestos Contamination in Catagena

Oct 20, 2025

Responses from 305 residents from 30 asbestos-affected low-middle income neighborhoods of Cartagena, Colombia were used to quantify awareness of the hazard posed by living in premises containing asbestos material. Asbestos-cement roofing was found in 87.5% of the homes studied. Although 55.8% of the people questioned recognized the health hazard, few took precautionary measures when dealing with the toxic material. The authors concluded that: “residential asbestos exposure remains a major health risk in these communities.” See: Asbestos Exposure in Low-Middle Income Communities of Cartagena, Colombia: A Survey of Knowledge, Practices, and Environmental Contamination.

Asbestos Alert in Auckland

Oct 17, 2025

On the evening of Friday, October 10, 2025, Auckland’s Pitt Street fire station was closed after firefighters had discovered asbestos contamination. Pending tests to quantify the problem, specialist vehicles and equipment at the station would be out of service said Martin Campbell, the Vice President of New Zealand’s Professional Firefighters’ Union, who was critical of the poor management and leadership which had led to toxic working conditions at the station. On Saturday, specialist operatives were brought in to the premises to begin air monitoring and swab testing. See: Union wants answers after discovery of asbestos at central Auckland fire station.

Asbestos & Lung Cancer Research: Update

Oct 17, 2025

Feedback from Canadian trade unionists informed the choice of research projects which succeeded in obtaining Workplace Cancer Research Grants from The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) in 2025. Of the four grants, worth a total of C$800,000 (US$571,000) awarded earlier this month, two will support research into workplace asbestos exposures and lung cancer. The funded project led by Dr. Nathan DeBono of Ontario Health, will examine “the effectiveness of lung cancer screening among construction workers exposed to asbestos.” The one led by Dr. Paul Demers will quantify the total costs of all Canadian cases of occupational lung cancer in 2026. See: Canadian Cancer Society funds new research tackling workplace cancers.

Assessing the National Asbestos Hazard

Oct 17, 2025

According to the document cited below, the import, storage & use of asbestos-cement sheets and similar building material were banned in Togo by Decree no. 97-256/PR of December 3, 1997. Notwithstanding the prohibitions, the levels of public and professional awareness of the hazard are low according to the 47-page 2025 monograph entitled: Study Report on Asbestos in Togo by Kodjo Ambroise Troveh & Herman Amewu Dovi. Recommendations were made in the text for measures to: improve the management of in-situ asbestos, centralize knowledge and data collection, provide technical support to decision-makers, implement and monitor prevention and training programs for the construction sector, develop skills and build technical capacity. See: Study Report on Asbestos in Togo.

Post-Ban Asbestos Issues

Oct 17, 2025

The article cited below considered ongoing health challenges in Brazil despite the national asbestos ban (2017). Having highlighted the hazard posed by asbestos liberated by disasters such as the floods which affected 484 municipalities in 2024, the authors stressed the importance of developing a national asbestos management plan which “should include measures for prevention, safe identification, and removal of materials containing asbestos, as well as providing training and provision of protective equipment for workers and residents, with a focus on vulnerable areas such as urban hillside regions.” See: O perigo oculto do amianto em situações de desastres: reflexões para futuros enfrentament [The hidden danger of asbestos in disaster situations: reflections for future confrontation].

Posthumous Victory in Sicily!

Oct 17, 2025

Having rejected rejecting an appeal lodged by lawyers for the Villa Sofia-Cervello hospital, the Court of Palermo ordered the health authority to pay compensation of €30,000 (US$34,700) to the family of mesothelioma victim Giuseppe Canino who died in 2015. A miscommunication by the hospital resulted in Canino receiving an incorrect diagnosis of his disease; he was not told he had contracted sarcomatous mesothelioma. By the time the cancer was identified, the patient was unconscious and unable to make important decisions. See: Diagnosi di tumore in ritardo, confermata la condanna per Villa Sofia [Delayed cancer diagnosis, conviction for Villa Sofia confirmed].

Asbestos at Northern Ireland Bonfire

Oct 17, 2025

According to findings in a report commissioned by the Community Development Committee of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Northern Ireland the sand base underlying a massive bonfire held last Summer to commemorate Eleventh Night at Randalstown, Co Antrim was contaminated with a “highly toxic and dangerous waste substance.” As the presence of asbestos constituted a “significant health and safety risk,” the council appointed an asbestos specialist to undertake testing of the suspect material. He found 80 tonnes of asbestos-contaminated sand under the pyre. It was removed using stringent safety measures. See: Eleventh Night bonfire’s entire sand base was contaminated with asbestos, council meeting hears.

Mesothelioma Research Update

Oct 13, 2025

The text referenced below by a team of nine researchers from Australia and Sweden was uploaded on October 8, 2025 to the Regional Health website of The Lancet Western Pacific. Updated findings were reported from an initial 2015 cohort study which examined the cancer risk posed by living in houses in the Australian capital (ACT) insulated with loose fill asbestos sold under the brand name Mr Fluffy. The paper’s authors confirmed “that living in a house with loose fill asbestos insulation may be sufficient to cause cancer, in particular mesothelioma.” See: Risk of cancer associated with residential exposure to asbestos insulation: updated evidence.

Johnson & Johnson Lose “Bigly”

Oct 13, 2025

In world-shattering news – reported in Japan, Russia, Brazil, South Africa and elsewhere – a stunning jury verdict of almost a billion dollars was handed down by a California jury last week in a case brought over the 2021 mesothelioma death of 88-year old Mae Moore. Johnson & Johnson (J&J) was founded guilty of causing her death by selling asbestos-contaminated talc-based baby powder. The jurors were so incensed by the evidence that they ordered the company to pay $950 million in punitive damages. The company said it will appeal. See: Jury orders Johnson & Johnson to pay $966m in talc cancer case.

One Nation’s Tragic Legacy

Oct 13, 2025

In an article for Tribune, Tom White, author of the newly published book “Bad Dust. A History of the Asbestos Disaster,” describes how successive UK governments of various persuasions failed to address the asbestos hazard. Examining the behaviour of Cape PLC, one of the UK’s largest asbestos conglomerates, the author highlighted how time after time the profits of industry stakeholders were prioritized over occupational and public health. The massive corporate cover-up which enabled the industry to flourish for so long could not have succeeded without a high level of government complacency or, even worse, cooperation. See: Asbestos: The Neoliberal Poison.

Asbestos Public Health Crisis

Oct 13, 2025

Complexities involved in obtaining accurate diagnoses of asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) were examined in the research paper cited below which explored the potential of newer technologies including low-dose CT (LDCT), ultra-low-dose CT (ULDCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other innovative diagnostic techniques. The authors concluded that: “Addressing the diagnostic gap in ARDs in LMICs requires systemic strengthening of occupational health surveillance, better regulatory enforcement, expanded access to advanced diagnostic tools, and targeted clinician training.” See: Challenges in Identifying and Diagnosing Asbestos-Related Diseases in Emerging Economies: A Global Health Perspective.

Asbestos in Schools

Oct 13, 2025

Research reported in the article cited below confirmed that most schools were not in compliance with regulations requiring “schools, colleges and high schools… to have a technical diagnosis gathering all the documents relating to the monitoring of materials that may contain asbestos.” Commenting on discouraging feedback from the Ministry of National Education regarding its asbestos survey of schools, the teachers’ unions claimed that municipal officials, which owned schools, were as negligent as employers who managed them in failing to address the asbestos hazard. See [subscription site]: Amiante dans les écoles: plus de la moitié des établissements concernés ne seraient pas en règle [Asbestos in schools: more than half of schools concerned are not in compliance].

New AC Data!

Oct 9, 2025

On September 30, 2025 Prevent Cancer Now – a “Canada-wide movement to eliminate preventable contributors to cancer…” – uploaded the results of Statistics Canada’s first national inventory of asbestos cement (AC) drinking water supply pipes. Based on data from 64% of jurisdictions, it was suggested that there are ~13,700 kilometers (~8,500 miles) of AC drinking water pipes still in use throughout Canada. The worst affected Provinces were: British Columbia (4,261 km AC pipes), Alberta (3,286 km), Saskatchewan (2,757 km), Ontario (1,259 km), Manitoba (1,006 km) and Quebec (864 km). See: Where are Canada’s asbestos cement drinking water pipes? Check the data for where you live.

MPT Victory over Eternit in Bahia

Oct 9, 2025

Under Brazilian legislation, when a worker is injured or becomes ill due to working conditions, companies are obliged to communicate this fact – with the use of a form referred to as a CAT – to the Social Security Administration (INSS). For decades Brazil’s largest asbestos conglomerate: Eternit S/A failed to do this for workers at its factories in Bahia. The Labor Prosecutor's Office (MPT) in 2017 filed a lawsuit against the company for non-compliance. In the latest development in this case, Judge Viviane Maria Leite de Faria ordered Eternit to issue the required documentation to eligible employees. If the company fails to do so, it will be fined. See: Fernanda Giannasi: A Eternit é mais uma vez derrotada na Justiça [Fernanda Giannasi: Eternit is once again defeated in court].

Ministries Differ on Asbestos Policy

Oct 9, 2025

An opinion piece on the website of Nikkei Asia – an online provider of financial news covering developments in Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia – on October 2, 2025 documented the raging controversy forestalling action on asbestos by the Vietnam Government, with the the Ministry of Construction downplaying the asbestos hazard and the Ministry of Health calling for a “complete asbestos ban due to public health concerns.” Domestic and foreign asbestos industry stakeholders continue to do everything they can to preserve the status quo. See: OPINION. Asbestos in Vietnam is the unseen Danger.