News Archive

Asbestos vested interests in Indonesia are using a variety of legal and financial weapons to attack grassroots activists following their victory last year in the Supreme Court which supported calls for mandatory hazard warning labels to be affixed on asbestos-containing roofing products. The information and graphics accessible via the link provided below explain the timeline of the litigation and the repercussions – personal and professional – being suffered by the whistleblowers, activists and campaigning groups. including Ajat Sudrajat, Leo Yogapratama, Dhiccy Sandew, the Indonesia-Ban Asbestos Network and LPKSM Yasa Nata Budi. See: Standing Together: The Fight for Asbestos Safety in Indonesia.

Frankfurt’s Asbestos Controversy

Aug 28, 2025

The “asbestos-stricken” landmark building – the Bundesbank – which is the headquarters of Germany’s central bank is in the news once again over the €3.3 billion (US$3.8bn) price tag for ongoing redevelopment work. Half of the country’s gold reserves are stored in an underground vault at this site. Five thousand and four hundred Bundesbank employees work in the main office building and other premises on the surrounding campus. In 2021, the staff temporarily relocated to a 1970s high-rise in Frankfurt’s downtown banking district. See: Asbestos, gold and spiralling costs: Bundesbank weighs abandoning Frankfurt headquarters.

Laryngeal Cancer & Asbestos

Aug 28, 2025

The academic paper cited below was published online on August 21, 2025 in a peer-reviewed journal by nine Chinese scientists. The focus of their research was on “the burden, trends, and contributing factors of laryngeal cancer due to asbestos exposure in China from 1990 to 2021.” Acknowledging that laryngeal cancer was a persistent public health challenge, the co-authors recommended that a multifaceted approach be adopted and high-risk individuals – older male workers with historical workplace asbestos exposure – be screened, to improve health outcomes. See: Burden of laryngeal cancer attributable to occupational asbestos exposure in China: A comprehensive analysis from 1990 to 2021.

Supreme Court’s Victims’ Verdict

Aug 28, 2025

Earlier this month, Italy’s Supreme Court issued a victims’ verdict in a case brought over the lung cancer/asbestosis death in 2012 of a man who from 1961 until 1996 had worked with asbestos-cement pipes. At no time was he warned of the asbestos hazard or provided with protection. This ruling overturned the earlier Court of Appeal decision. See: «Asbestosi nota dal 1943»: risarcimento ai familiari del lavoratore vittima di amianto [“Asbestosis known since 1943”: compensation to family members of worker who was a victim of asbestos].

Asbestos Roofing in the Free State

Aug 28, 2025

In a press statement issued on August 22, 2025, the Democratic Alliance (DA) political party of South Africa’s Free State Province called for urgent action to remove asbestos roofing from homes across the Kopanong Municipality, because of the cancer threat posed by the presence of the toxic material. The DA wants: a comprehensive eradication of asbestos roofing from the housing stock; financial support from the provincial and national government for replacement roofing; and a comprehensive asbestos audit to identify and quantify the size and scope of the contamination. See: DA calls for urgent action on asbestos roofs in Kopanong.

Public Health & Mining

Aug 28, 2025

Australia is a country rich in natural minerals. The mining of these minerals is simultaneously a boon to the economy and a threat to public health. The August 25th article cited below covered a range of industrial practices, including the historic mining of asbestos. Acknowledging the “increased morbidity and mortality” caused by asbestos mining, the authors pointed out that most of the research conducted to date concentrated on the outcome of exposures caused by mining operations in Wittenoom, Western Australia. The repercussions of exposures to asbestos mining elsewhere in Australia remain, on the whole, unassessed. See: The public health impacts of mining in Australia.

Growth in Asbestos Demand

Aug 26, 2025

As a result of government initiatives, the asbestos industrial sector in Turkmenistan is growing. Using heavy equipment imported from China, one such company – “Päkize aý” (Pure Moon) – was opened in 2021. The 50-strong workforce manufactures asbestos-cement roofing material. The author of the article cited below incorrectly alleged that 90% of the raw materials used at the factory were locally sourced; there is no asbestos mine in Turkmenistan, so the raw asbestos fiber used in the production process is imported. There was no mention in the text of the hazard posed by on-site asbestos exposures experienced by workers and no information on the provision of occupational protective equipment. See: Demand for products of individual enterprise “Päkize aý” — a manufacturer of roofing materials — is growing.

Moby Drea – Deadline Postponed!

Aug 26, 2025

Croatia’s asbestos saga drags on, with a postponement of the government’s one week deadline for an asbestos-laden Italian ferry – the Moby Drea – to be removed from territorial waters. Last week it was announced that the Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure had granted the request of the vessel’s owner for an additional 15 days after which the ship must be removed from the Brodosplit shipyard and from Croatia. In the meantime, it was forbidden for any asbestos removal work to be carried out. The Split Port Authority was ordered to ensure compliance with this decision. See: NOVI ROK Brodu s azbestom dali još 15 dana za boravak u Splitu [NEW DEADLINE: Ship with asbestos given another 15 days to stay in Split].

Asbestos Legacy in the Ring of Fire

Aug 26, 2025

The August 5, 2025 article by Zoe Reynolds which is cited below provided a snapshot of some of the glaring issues stemming from widespread asbestos contamination in Indonesia. Half of all the 10.7 million homes in the capital city of Jakarta have asbestos-cement roofing. As Ms. Reynolds explained: “Indonesia sits on the Ring of Fire with earth tremors every four hours. On average, 2052 earthquakes of a magnitude 4 or over on the Richter scale rock the archipelago each year.” The use of asbestos remains legal in Indonesia and there are, as yet, no government mandates about the labeling of asbestos-containing products. See: Asbestos disaster rocks Indonesia.

Post-War Asbestos Disaster

Aug 26, 2025

When/if the war finally ends in Ukraine, the reconstruction work needed to address the damage caused by the widespread bombardment of the country will be colossal. Amongst the pressing problems will be the “secondary environmental disaster, uncontrolled asbestos contamination” caused by the Russian attacks. According to Melody Kemp, the author of the article cited below: “Many fear that the ensuing contamination will create an epidemic of illness for which surviving facilities and aid agencies are woefully ill-equipped to deal with.” In years gone by, Ukraine was a major asbestos consumer and one of the best customers for Russian asbestos. See [subscription site]: The dust that will outlast the war.

Asbestos Alert!

Aug 26, 2025

The discovery of 210 square meters of deteriorating asbestos-cement roofing tiles on a busy open-air market in the Wuri District of Taichung City, Taiwan has led to calls for the authorities to eradicate the toxic roofing. In a statement issued on August 19th, the municipality said specialist advice was being sought about the precise nature of the contentious material. Subject to confirmation, the hazard will be eradicated by the end of this year “at the earliest.” See: 乌日市场屋顶藏危机！近40年石绵瓦曝致癌风险市府：最快年底汰换 [Wuri Market's rooftop faces a potential danger! Nearly 40-year-old asbestos tiles pose a cancer risk; the city government mandates replacement by year's end].

Illegal Asbestos Disposal

Aug 26, 2025

A disturbing asbestos “incident” was reported by correspondent Emma Draper in the article cited below; illegally discarded asbestos waste was found in a skip at the Northern Civic Amenity Site (NCAS) Balladoole, in Ramsey, a coastal town on the Isle of Man. According to Deputy Chair Sandra Cottam-Shea, Vice-Chair of Ramsey Town Commissioners: “there are ‘low staffing levels’ at the NCAS and it has had to reduce its operations, including not taking commercial waste for the time being.” A specialist team was called in to eradicate the contamination. See: Ramsey Commissioners says asbestos issue at NCAS was taken 'seriously'.

Impact of Asbestos Mining in Bahia

Aug 22, 2025

An outreach program implemented earlier this year revealed the horrific level of damage still being done by asbestos production, even though the local mine in Bahia was shut in 1967. According to recently released data, of the 584 people tested, all of whom at high-risk of contracting an asbestos-related disease, 68 were positive, with almost half of them reporting environmental exposures to asbestos. The research was organized by the Brazilian Association of the Asbestos-Exposed and the Association of Asbestos-Contaminated Victims and Exposed Families in collaboration with workers’ health activists and organizations including Fiocruz, InCOR, Hospital de Amor and the Public Ministry of Labor. See: Mesmo proibido, o amianto ainda faz vítimas [Even though it is banned, asbestos still claims victims].

Asbestos Alert in Pampanga

Aug 22, 2025

Officials in a residential district of the City of San Fernando, Philippines have called on the Pampanga Provincial Council to take action on the hazard posed by the continued use of decades-old asbestos-cement water pipes. Christian Halili, chair of the Committee on Energy, Water and Public Utilities, advised the Pilar Waterworks Corporation that it had 10 days to obtain a permit to replace old asbestos pipes being used in its water distribution system. According to Halili, this remediation was considered high priority given the risk to public health. See: SP hears petition to replace asbestos pipes, gives water firm 10 days to get digging permit.

Pristina’s Asbestos Eradication Program

Aug 22, 2025

Asbestos roofing is a common sight throughout Pristina, the Kosovo capital. According to government data, there are more than 230 thousand square meters of roofs and ~70 kilometers of asbestos-containing water pipes in the capital. In 2024, Pristina’s Mayor launched the “Pristina without asbestos” campaign to eradicate the health hazard and protect public health. Work commissioned by the municipality for an audit of asbestos roofing in the capital was carried out this year by a private contractor. A three phased tendering process will be launched in due course for interested companies capable of carrying out asbestos removal work. See: Asbestos still in Pristina, remains a concern for citizens.

“Rochdale's Chernobyl”

Aug 22, 2025

For decades, a 75-acre derelict industrial site off Spod Road, Rochdale has been both an eyesore and a public health hazard. The production of asbestos-containing building material at the Turner Brothers factory was accompanied by widescale dumping of toxic offcuts and waste. The contamination which resulted from the liberation of asbestos by the manufacturing processes and the fly-tipping contributed to the local name for the area: “Rochdale's Chernobyl.” Developer after developer came and went but redevelopment schemes were dropped or barred by the local Council. Local people and campaigners expressed concern about the latest plans for the site by Spodden Park Ltd. See: Abandoned for years, something is moving inside ‘Rochdale's Chernobyl’.

Asbestos Eradication in Sicily

Aug 22, 2025

People in the Messina area of Sicily who are applying for grants to remove asbestos material from their properties have until noon on September 5, 2025 to submit online applications via a regional website. According to Mayor Federico Basile: “The removal and disposal of asbestos is a priority for public health and environmental protection, and this measure makes it possible to concretely support families who intend to proceed with remediation interventions.” See: Messina: contributi per la rimozione e lo smaltimento di amianto, domande entro il 5 settembre [Asbestos, the Municipality of Messina informs citizens that the regional platform for the submission of applications for grants is active].

Municipal Subsidies for Asbestos Removal

Aug 22, 2025

The authorities in Wonju City – the most populous city in Gangwon Province, South Korea – has announced new funding for its asbestos eradication program which, since 2012, has subsidized asbestos removal work on 2,500 buildings. Grants are available of up to 7 million won (US$ 5,100) per house and 5 million won (US$ 3,600 per non-residential building. For elderly people and those on basic incomes, the cost of the eradication work will be fully supported. Submissions must be made by October 2025. See: 원주, 석면 지붕 처리 지원 신청 접수 [Wonju accepts applications for asbestos roof treatment support].

Moby Drea Saga: Update

Aug 20, 2025

On August 11, 2025, news was published on the website of the Croatian Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure that said that the owners of the asbestos-laden ship the Moby Drea had been given a week to remove the vessel from territorial waters. There are, however, many questions about the exact nature of this prohibition; the article cited below by Mia Uzinic explored some of the more pressing ones. See: Odvjetnik: U slučaju da se brodar ogluši na rješenje da Moby Drea napusti Hrvatsku, čeka nas prisilno izbacivanje broda! [Lawyer: In the event that the shipowner ignores the decision to have the Moby Drea leave Croatia, we face forced eviction of the ship!].

Toxic Talc

Aug 20, 2025

A couple from Charleston, South Carolina who achieved a massive jury award in a mesothelioma case brought against Johnson & Johnson (J&J) over the presence of asbestos fibers in its talc-based baby powder expressed surprise at a recent decision by Judge Jean Toal to reduce the size of the compensation payout approved by the Columbia court. Michael Perry, aged 55, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2023; he had been a life-time user of J&J baby powder. J&J is appealing the verdict. See: SC couple expects to receive $12M less after judge’s review in baby powder cancer lawsuit.

National Asbestos Dialogue

Aug 20, 2025

The article cited below by Hermano Albuquerque de Castro and Fernanda Giannasi was published last week in the Fiocruz Journal for the 5th National Conference on Workers' Health. Within the context of a discussion on occupational health and the environment, the authors examined legal, political, and social developments in the history of asbestos use in Brazil, for years the world’s 3rd largest asbestos producer. For decades, vested interests advanced the specious policy of “controlled and safe use of asbestos” to prevent the implementation of measures to protect citizens from potentially deadly exposures. See: Workers’ rights in the context of the ‘UNsafe and UNcontrolled’ use of asbestos in Brazil

Asbestos Failings in London Borough

Aug 20, 2025

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) downgraded a housing association in Waltham Forest (London) for several failings including not conducting asbestos surveys of the communal areas of its buildings. The North London Muslim Housing Association (NLM), which was founded in 1988, is responsible for 1,000 domestic properties in Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets, Enfield, Newham and Hackney. According to a statement on its website, the NLM was “hugely disappointed” by the regulator’s judgment and continues to work collaboratively with the RSH “to address the identified concerns…” See: Local landlord rapped by social housing regulator for ‘serious’ health and safety failings.

Asbestos Eradication at Schools

Aug 20, 2025

The educational authorities in Gyeongsan City in South Korea’s North Gyeongsang Province confirmed last week the oversight measures which had been implemented to ensure compliance with asbestos health and safety regulations during eradication work at two elementary schools during the 2025 summer school holidays. These included regulatory inspections to check that: asbestos removal supervisors were fulfilling their obligations; strict adherence to mandatory regulations, laws and guidelines; on-site monitoring during removal and demolition work. See: 경산시, "석면 걱정 없는 학교"……석면 해체 공사 지도점검 실시 [Gyeongsan City, “Asbestos-Free Schools”… Conducts Supervision and Inspection of Asbestos Removal Work].

Improving the National Regulatory Regime

Aug 20, 2025

An article in the August 13, 2025 issue of the Mainichi Shimbun – one of the four national newspapers in Japan – considered what progress had been made since the Kubota Shock exploded the country’s asbestos crisis onto the public consciousness. Comparing current monitoring and regulatory practices in Japan with those in South Korea and Australia, the author of the text suggested that the experiences of those countries could inform future Japanese asbestos policies, some of which are disjointed and ineffective. See: 見落とし、手抜きが標準化？　石綿除去で横行する“名ばかり調査者” [Are oversights and cutting corners the norm? “Nominal inspectors” are rampant in asbestos removal].

Victory in Split!

Aug 18, 2025

On August 12, 2025 it was reported that the Croatian Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure had, on August 11, given in to public fury over plans to remove asbestos-containing partition walls from the Italian ferry the Moby Drea at the Brodosplit shipyard. The ship was given one week to leave Croatian territorial waters after an investigation revealed plans to dispose of hazardous waste [asbestos] in breach of national regulations. According to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković “the government had no prior knowledge that an Italian ship containing asbestos would be repaired in Split.” See: ‘Asbestos ship’ ordered to leave Croatian waters.