News Archive

An article and video uploaded last week by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, repeated calls by asbestos victims and campaigners for a prioritized nationwide asbestos eradication program (VIDEO: Retired WA teacher with mesothelioma pushes for asbestos disposal). The stories focused on retired teacher Kerry Wynn-Taylor, who is living on “borrowed time,” having contracted asbestos cancer. Ms Wynn-Taylor is calling on the Government to coordinate and finance work “to safely dispose of more than six million tonnes of ageing asbestos… from buildings across the country.” See: National push to remove millions of tonnes of asbestos from homes to save thousands of lives.

Paying for Asbestos Injuries

Sep 17, 2024

Discussions are ongoing at the heart of the Swiss Government about how the bill for asbestos compensation is to be covered and who should be eligible for payouts under the national scheme. Following the approval of an amendment to the Accident Insurance Act on September 13, 2024 by Switzerland’s Federal Council, the Swiss Insurance Institute (SUVA) will in future “contribute to the compensation of victims of asbestos-related diseases who are not covered by insurance.” See: Maladies liées à l’amiante: «Il serait peut-être temps de réallouer ces coûts à la bonne caisse» [Asbestos-related diseases: “It may be time to reallocate these costs to the right fund”].

Asbestos Warnings!

Sep 17, 2024

Responding to a three-month ultimatum by Kenyan Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale for the removal of asbestos roofing from the built environment, the Kenya Chemical Society (KCS) called on the Government to ensure that decontamination work strictly adhered to recommended procedures, citing the health risks to workers as well as members of the public posed by the hasty and ill-prepared removal and disposal of asbestos-containing material. KCS member Joseck Alwala urged the Government to work with KCS personnel who can provide the expertise needed for the development of asbestos waste management protocols. See: State urged to ensure proper disposal of asbestos after Duale’s ultimatum.

Increased Payouts for Victims

Sep 17, 2024

The news has been reported from multiple Labor Courts in the Brazilian State of Minas Gerais of increased compensation payouts in lawsuits brought by workers for asbestos-related diseases. In a recent trial the amount of damages awarded was raised from R$40,000 (US$7,050) to R$200,000 (US$35,300) by a panel of the Superior Labor Tribunal (TST); another TST panel increased the damages in a similar case from R$50,000 (US$8,900) to R$300,000 (US$53,310) whilst another raised the compensation awarded from R$200,000 (US$35,300) to R$600,000 (US$206,625). See: TST aumenta indenizações a trabalhadores expostos a amianto [TST increases compensation for workers exposed to asbestos].

Asbestos Warning!

Sep 17, 2024

The continued use of asbestos in Sri Lanka, which had issued national asbestos prohibitions in 2018, continues to endanger the lives of all its citizens. The ban was postponed after intensive economic pressure from Russia, the country which continues to be the main asbestos supplier to Sri Lanka. The findings of research contained in this year’s “Asbestos Investigation Report in Sri Lanka,” supported calls by medical, scientific and environmental experts for an immediate asbestos ban to protect the lives of all Sri Lankans. See: අපේ රටෙත් තැන තැන ඇස්බැස්ටස් දූෂක කාරක [Asbestos pollutants are everywhere in our country!].

Deadly Ongoing Mr Fluffy Legacy

Sep 17, 2024

Research published this Summer (ACT Asbestos Health Study II) reported an increased asbestos cancer risk for males who had lived in Canberra homes contaminated with Mr. Fluffy sprayed asbestos insulation. “We found,” said Principal Investigator Professor Rosemary Korda “that men who had lived in an asbestos-affected home at some point since 1984 were 2.7 times more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to the rest of the ACT [Australian Capital Territory] male population.” There was also an elevated incidence of colorectal cancer amongst men and women who had lived in Mr Fluffy homes. See: Research Finds Asbestos Raises Cancer Risk for ACT Residents.

Sad News from Casale Monferrato

Sep 12, 2024

The death was announced on September 11, 2024 of Romana Blasotti Pavesi, who for decades had led the fight for asbestos justice in the bereaved Italian town of Casale Monferrato. Having lost her husband, sister and daughter to asbestos-related diseases, Romana played a pivotal role in mobilizing the fight to hold the owners and managers of the Eternit Asbestos Group to account for the deaths their operations caused not only to workers and family members but also to local people. See: Addio a Romana Blasotti Pavesi, pasionaria della lotta all'amianto [Farewell to Romana Blasotti Pavesi, a passionate advocate for the fight against asbestos].

Insufficient Progress in Asbestos Eradication

Sep 12, 2024

On September 6, 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology published the results of a survey on the use of asbestos-containing insulation materials in school buildings and other facilities. Since the inspections undertaken 5 years ago, 2/3 of the structures, 72 in total, still contained deteriorated or damaged asbestos-containing insulation. Details of the investigation results were published on the Ministry's website. See: 学校施設のアスベスト、劣化・損傷する保温材72機関が保有…文科省 [Asbestos in school facilities, insulation material that deteriorates and is damaged, owned by 72 institutions…Ministry of Education].

EU Progress on Asbestos

Sep 12, 2024

On September 10, 2024, Commissioner Thierry Breton, on behalf of the European Commission, provided an answer to a parliamentary question about asbestos. According to the response: “The Commission recognizes the dangers of asbestos. The revised Asbestos at work Directive lays down limit values for workers’ exposure to asbestos, as well as sets obligations for employers to identify and address asbestos risks in buildings… The Commission has been engaging with EU citizens, national authorities and stakeholders to prepare the proposal on the screening and registration of asbestos in buildings… an impact assessment has been prepared to identify the optimal combination of measures.” See: Parliamentary question - E-001432/2024(ASW). Answer given by Mr Breton on behalf of the European Commission.

Asbestos Management in Social Housing

Sep 12, 2024

News was released this week of an asbestos event in Scotland to be held by the Social Housing Safety Network on October 8, 2024 at the Merchants House of Glasgow. During a full day of presentations, delegates representing social housing providers in Scotland will be informed about state-of-the-art asbestos management techniques. Subjects which will be discussed include: legislative requirements for social landlords, the need for asbestos surveys and re-inspections, the compilation of asbestos registers and understanding and operating Asbestos Management Plans. See: Asbestos Management in Social Housing: The Practical Approach.

Asbestos Mismanagement in Busan

Sep 12, 2024

A spokesperson for the Municipal Audit Committee in Busan, Korea announced on September 8, 2024 that asbestos surveys undertaken at 135 public buildings managed by Busan City and 16 districts and counties over a 40-day period last spring had found multiple examples of hazardous conditions. The inspectors discovered that many public buildings had not been properly assessed for the risk of asbestos contamination and that many of them still contained friable material. As a result of these unsatisfactory findings, the asbestos management system was being “comprehensively reorganized.” See: “암에 걸릴 수도 있는데…” 부산시 공공 석면 건축물 관리 부실 [“You could get cancer…” Poor management of public asbestos [containing] buildings in Busan].

Mesothelioma Session in Okayama

Sep 12, 2024

On September 29, 2024, a coalition of civil society stakeholders, including the Japan Asbestos & Mesothelioma Society and the medical oncology department at Okayama University Hospital, is holding a seminar on the medical treatment of mesothelioma patients. The event will take place at the Convention Center, Okayama City, Japan. The program will feature presentations by Shinichi Fujimoto, vice president of the Society, and Dr. Tei Goto of the National Rare Cancer Center who will talk about new mesothelioma treatments. Information will also be made available about a Kansai-based mesothelioma patient group. See: 「中皮腫」治療テーマにセミナー　２９日、岡山 [Seminar on the theme of “mesothelioma” treatment 29th, Okayama, Japan].

Supreme Court Asbestos Verdict

Sep 10, 2024

On September 3, 2024, France's Supreme Court rejected appeals on behalf of asbestos victims against a 2023 decision by the Paris Court of Appeal which dismissed charges against asbestos company executives who had been indicted for manslaughter and unintentional injury. This was the latest in a series of defeats for asbestos victims and their legal representatives in their 30+ year battle to hold to account some of the people responsible for a national epidemic killing thousands of French men and women every year. See: Amiante: non-lieu définitif dans le dossier Eternit [Asbestos: definitive dismissal of Eternit case].

Ban Asbestos Now!

Sep 10, 2024

Last week, a representative from the Building and Wood Workers Trade Union Federation of Cambodia (BWTUC) appealed to the Ministry of Labour to introduce regulations to restrict and prevent the use of asbestos, an acknowledged carcinogen, in construction materials, to protect occupational health. According to the BWTUC President Sok Kin, long-term exposure to asbestos impacts people’s health and causes health problems, such as asbestosis and lung cancer. The BWTUC, said Sok Kin, is happy to partner with the government in efforts to raise asbestos awareness among workers. See: Building union asks Labour Ministry to act on asbestos.

Verdict for Lazio Cancer Victim

Sep 10, 2024

The surviving family of lung cancer victim Luigi Pennacchietti will receive compensation of €500,000 (US$552,200) for his death at 37 years old from an asbestos-related disease following a decision by the Rome Court of Appeal. The defendant COTRAL, a public transport company from Lazio, had been negligent in failing to take precautions to protect electromechanic Pennacchietti from asbestos exposures during the nine years he was employed at the company’s workshops. See: Amianto, un’altra condanna. Questa volta c’è la concausa [Top of FormAsbestos, another conviction. This time there is [identification of] the contributing cause].

Nationwide Asbestos Removal Program

Sep 10, 2024

A national directive issued on August 28, 2024 by the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Aden Duale mandated the removal of asbestos roofing sheets from all public and private buildings within the next three months. Duale instructed the National Environment Management Authority to audit the location of this toxic material throughout the country as a preliminary step to removing the hazardous material in order to enhance public safety and protect citizens from the known health risks associated with asbestos exposure. See: State Orders Removal of Asbestos Roofs in 90 Days.

J&J: Update

Sep 10, 2024

It was announced on September 4, 2024 that the American pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) planned to throw another $1.1 billion at efforts to resolve tens of thousands of legal claims alleging that asbestos fibers in the company’s talc-based baby powder had caused cancers in US consumers. If J&J can get agreement to the new settlement from 75% of the claimants, it can proceed with plans to bankrupt the subsidiary company it created as a means of off-loading its asbestos liabilities by the end of this month. See: Johnson & Johnson to pay additional $1.1 bn to resolve talc settlement.

New Mesothelioma Data

Sep 10, 2024

Official data released on September 6, 2024 documenting the incidence of mesothelioma in Italian regions up until June 30, 2024 revealed that over the period 2018-2022 the rate remained high for both men and women, with the highest rates recorded in Reggio Emilia: 5.1 for men and 2.2 for women. Other asbestos cancer hotspots were Parma, for men only, Piacenza and Ravenna. The region with the lowest recorded rate for both men and women was Rimini. See: Amianto-epidemiologia/report mesoteliomi Emilia Romagna [Asbestos-epidemiology/mesothelioma report Emilia Romagna].

Memorial to the Asbestos Dead

Sep 6, 2024

On Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 7 p.m., in Kapelle-op-den-Bos, Belgium – formerly the location of one of Europe’s largest asbestos-cement factories and the epicenter of a devastating cancer epidemic which has taken the lives of family members and local people as well as workers – a statue was unveiled in remembrance of the asbestos victims. Although this municipal recognition of the asbestos disaster was long overdue, the Association of Asbestos Victims was neither consulted to contribute its input to the project nor invited to speak at the ceremony. See: Inhuldiging beeld 'Ademloos' tijdens het feestweekend [Breathless. Inauguration of the statue 'Breathless' during the festive weekend].

New Uses for Asbestos

Sep 6, 2024

Researchers at Perm National Research Polytechnic working at a facility in Alapaevsk, Sverdlovsk Region to devise new uses for home-grown Russian asbestos announced this week that a pilot project for improving the quality and durability of road surfaces by using chrysotile asbestos had succeeded. According to their news release: “The technology has already received a patent and can be applied to concrete and asphalt plants throughout the country.” See: Ученые Пермского Политеха улучшили качество асфальта [Perm Polytechnic University Scientists Improve Asphalt Quality].

Addressing the Lung Cancer Epidemic

Sep 6, 2024

The announcement that Liu Qian – a famous magician in China – contracted lung cancer generated a lot of media coverage last week. Having been diagnosed early, Liu Qian had an operation and gave up smoking. Many of the articles about his diagnosis highlighted famous people who also died of lung cancer. The article cited below included a description of the types and stages of lung cancer, available treatments as well as main risk factors including: smoking, air pollution, secondhand smoke, and exposure to chemicals such as chromium and asbestos. See: 48岁刘谦自曝罹患肺腺癌引热议，如何预防中国第一大癌? [48-year-old Liu Qian's self-exposure of lung adenocarcinoma has caused heated discussions, how to prevent China's first major cancer?].

Asbestos at School

Sep 6, 2024

The beginning of the new school year was disrupted for 1,400 Canadian students by the discovery of asbestos at the Horizon Jeunesse high school in Laval, Quebec. The school will be shut until the middle of October with students either being asked to work remotely or being relocated to other premises. Students had been scheduled to return to school on August 28. Decontamination and clean-up work by specialist contractors is proceeding. It is likely that the asbestos found at the school was supplied by one of Quebec’s asbestos mines. See: Asbestos leak disrupts return to class at Laval, Que., high school.

Support for Asbestos Eradication

Sep 6, 2024

Mayor Lee Jae-joon of Suwon City, South Korea is urging local people to apply for civic grants to remove asbestos roofing and other asbestos material from privately-owned buildings. Available funding will cover the entire refurbishment cost for “'priority support households” and other vulnerable groups with smaller sums being allocated to other households. Building owners must apply in person at the Saebit Civil Complaint Office which is on the first floor of Suwon City Hall. See: 슬레이트 철거 지붕개량 지원.. 수원시, 신청 접수 [Slate demolition roof improvement support.. Suwon, application reception].

New Asbestos Cancer Data

Sep 6, 2024

New data documenting the ongoing mesothelioma epidemic in Australia was uploaded on August 28, 2024 to the website of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia's national agency for information and statistics on Australia's health and welfare. In 2022, there were 685 deaths from mesothelioma; in 2023, 617 mesothelioma patients were diagnosed at a median age of 77. Ninety percent of sufferers reported known or suspected incidents of asbestos exposure. See: Mesothelioma in Australia 2023.

Talc Health Warning

Sep 2, 2024

A warning from thoracic surgeon Chen Jinxing alerted women in China to the health hazard posed by the use of asbestos-containing talc-based cosmetic products. Dr Jinxing, who is the director of the Department of Surgery of National Taiwan University Hospital, explained that exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer, ovarian cancer and malignant endometrial cancer and suggested that consumers do not choose “cheap powdered cosmetics, and remove makeup as soon as possible.” See: 女性不抽菸仍罹肺癌台大医示警：化妆品也有风险 [Women who don't smoke still suffer from lung cancer National Taiwan University doctor warns: cosmetics also have risks].