News Archive

On July 23, 2024, a bipartisan bill was introduced in the US Senate that would prevent financially viable companies from dumping their liabilities via the use of a legal manoeuvre – commonly referred to as the “Texas two-step.” The “Ending Corporate Bankruptcy Abuse Act of 2024” was sponsored by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island and Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican. The “Texas two-step” has been used by companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Georgia-Pacific to off-load asbestos liabilities in tens of thousands of cancer cases. See: US Senate bill aims to curb Texas two-step bankruptcies.

Call for Asbestos Ban

Jul 25, 2024

On July 22, 2024, the Consumers’ Association of Penang conveyed a 15-page Memorandum to the Prime Minister and other government ministers calling for asbestos use to be banned comprehensively throughout the country. Citing evidence from the World Health Organization, the International Labor Organization, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the Asian Ban Asbestos Network and the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat, the memorandum concluded: “Malaysia should have banned asbestos a long time ago. We cannot wait any longer and sacrifice more lives.” See: Call for Outright Ban on Asbestos.

Green Future: No Place for Asbestos

Jul 25, 2024

The commentary cited below was about the growing popularity of green technologies, especially in the construction industry. The author highlighted the hazard posed by the incorporation of asbestos into building products saying: “in a number of countries, asbestos is banned in construction, as it is considered a harmful material.” Although nothing was said specifically about the need to outlaw asbestos, it was clear from the tone of the article that the author felt that the use of this toxic substance was contrary to the fulfillment of Azerbaijan's green priorities. See: Больше, чем тренд [More than a trend].

Expanding Asbestos Exports to Asia

Jul 25, 2024

On July 22, 2024 a train carrying six containers of 120 tons of chrysotile (white) asbestos left Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China en route to Tajikistan. This was the first time that Gansu chrysotile asbestos was exported to a Central Asian country. In the past, China consumed almost all the asbestos it mined. It seems that the creation of additional transport routes is encouraging producers to expand overseas markets. Considering that asbestos regulations in most Central Asian countries are either non-existent or unenforced, this development is of serious concern. See: 甘肃温石棉首次出口塔吉克斯坦 [Gansu chrysotile asbestos was exported to Tajikistan for the first time].

Asbestos at the Palace

Jul 25, 2024

A report issued on July 23, 2024 by The National Audit Office (NAO) about the £369 million, 10-year Buckingham Palace refurbishment program noted that although compliance with the works schedule and financial budget were good “other challenges, such as the discovery of more asbestos and structural damage than expected – common in heritage programmes – could have been foreseen.” Whilst it is reassuring that the asbestos hazard at the Palace is being addressed, the hazard posed by asbestos material contained within the majority of UK schools remains an imminent threat to students and staff. See: Progress on the Buckingham Palace Reservicing programme.

Toxic Talc

Jul 25, 2024

Current negotiations between the US pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and the companies which supplied it with talc for use in its manufacturing processes are believed to be inching towards a settlement. Under the proposal, the suppliers – Imerys Talc America and Cyprus Mines Corporation – will contribute to a $505 million settlement package. J&J is facing 57,000+ lawsuits from claimants who allege their cancers were caused by exposure to asbestos fibers in J&J talc-based baby powder. See: Johnson & Johnson Nears Settlement in Talc Dispute.

Lung Cancer Screening Program

Jul 23, 2024

The French National Institute of Cancer [INCA] has launched an appeal for applications for interested parties to roll out a nationwide lung cancer screening program for at-risk individuals. The targeted population includes: adults 50 to 74 years old and long-term smokers or former smokers. People who will not be screened include those exposed to asbestos, radon, passive smoking and air pollution. 52,777 cases of lung cancer (LC) were diagnosed in France in 2023; most LC diagnoses in France are made at a late stage of the disease. See: Appel à candidatures 2024 Dépistage des cancers du poumon - Programme pilote [Call for applications for 2024 Lung cancer screening - Pilot program].

Deadly Earthquake Legacy

Jul 23, 2024

On July 21, 2024, it was announced that a 6th worker had been certified by the Kobe Nishi Labor Standards Inspection Office as having a work-related injury after contracting the signature asbestos cancer mesothelioma having been exposed to asbestos during clean-up work following the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. The injured man who is 67 years old, was born in Amagasaki City, but now lives in the Hanshin area. Commenting on his experience after the disaster, the cancer sufferer said: “There were many people who did similar work in the disaster areas, so there are probably even more patients.” See: 阪神・淡路被災地：震災によるアスベスト被害 [Hanshin-Awaji disaster area: Asbestos damage caused by the earthquake].

Asbestos at the Olympics

Jul 23, 2024

Days before the 2024 Summer Olympics were due to begin in France, the news was circulated about the discovery of asbestos contamination in the Lille subway system. From July 27, scores of basketball and handball matches are scheduled to be held in Lille. The focus of investigations now progressing concerns six metro trains and one train station, which is currently closed. See: Lille: La Decouverte d’Amiante Menace le Bon Fonctionnement des Metros Pendant les Jo 2024 [Lille: Discovery of Asbestos Threatens Normal Functioning of Metros during 2024 Olympics].

A Toxic Legacy

Jul 23, 2024

The July 8, 2024 commentary by a Ukrainian environmental expert which is cited below delineated the multitude of asbestos-related challenges facing Ukraine, which historically had used asbestos in vast quantities for the production of asbestos-cement material including roofing. Russian attacks on the national infrastructure have created unquantifiable amounts of asbestos-contaminated building debris and Ukraine is struggling to implement procedures to ensure the safe collection and disposal of this waste. See: Що не так із азбестом і як бути з горами небезпечних будівельних відходів [What's wrong with asbestos and how to deal with mountains of hazardous construction waste].

Asbestos in Schools

Jul 23, 2024

An updated list of schools which still contain asbestos material was released at a press conference by a coalition of civil society groups in Busan, Korea on July 18, 2024. According to the new information, out of 12,058 elementary, middle, and high schools in South Korea, 2,925 still contain asbestos; in other words, 1 out of 4 schools are still contaminated despite the nationwide asbestos removal program and a deadline of 2027 for the eradication of all asbestos in schools. The regions with the highest number of toxic schools are: Gyeonggi (767), Seoul (422), Gyeongnam (347), Gyeongbuk (264) and Jeonnam (260). See: 전국 초중고 '석면학교' 2925곳 명단 공개 [A list of 2,925 elementary, middle, and high ‘asbestos schools’ nationwide released].

20 Year Wait for Justice

Jul 23, 2024

Italy’s National Institute for Social Security (INPS) was ordered by the Appeal Court of Rome to increase monthly pension payments to eleven workers (or to their heirs, since many had died from asbestos-related diseases during their 20-year wait for justice). The injured had been exposed to asbestos whilst employed in ship construction at the Posillipo shipyard in the Lazio region of central Italy. See: Amianto: Ex dipendenti della Posillipo di Sabaudia risarciti dall’INPS dopo 20 anni. Avranno una maggiorazione della pensione [Asbestos: Former employees of Posillipo di Sabaudia compensated by INPS after 20 years. They [or their heirs] will receive an increased pension].

Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers

Jul 17, 2024

The article cited below, which was uploaded on July 8 2024, referenced new data published in The Lancet which revealed that: “a ‘substantial portion’ of lung cancer patients in India are those who do not smoke.” In 2020, there were 72,510 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed and 66,279 deaths according to research by doctors from the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. Exposure to asbestos was listed as one of the causes of the high rates of lung cancer in India, along with environmental and air pollution, exposures to chromium, cadmium, arsenic and coal, and second-hand smoke. See: Most of India's lung cancer cases are linked to non-smokers. Here's why.

Precautionary Asbestos Audits

Jul 17, 2024

Staff at the Department of Waste Management (DWM) in Tuvalu, an island country in the South Pacific, are taking a proactive approach to the legacy of asbestos use, with new protocols for identifying toxic products. According to DWM Director Mr Epu Falega: “By knowing where the asbestos is we can help our communities live with it safely.” Using newly acquired technology, the first survey of the 148 buildings on Niu island was conducted. Nineteen of the 131 samples tested were found to contain asbestos including those taken from roofing on the old chapel which was built in 1925. See: Protecting communities in Tuvalu from the threat of asbestos.

Mesothelioma Victim Sues the Government

Jul 17, 2024

A precedent was set on July 9, 2024 when a mesothelioma sufferer, who had been employed at a textile factory in Uji City, sued the government for failing to protect him in a lawsuit being heard in Kyoto District Court. Between 1969 and 1979, the worker had been tasked with handling burlap bags containing asbestos which was fed into the production line for the manufacture of heat insulation products. As a result of workplace exposures, he contracted the asbestos cancer, mesothelioma. See: ユニチカ工場で石綿暴露　宇治市の元労働者が救済求め提訴　中皮腫発症し今年３月に労災認定 [Asbestos exposure at Unitika factory. Former worker with mesothelioma in Uji City sues for relief and [exposure] is certified as a worker's accident in March this year].

Asbestos in the Tunnels

Jul 17, 2024

As of July 15, 2024, two tunnels in the east of Brussels were closed as part of an asbestos removal and remediation project being carried out over the summer months. According to one of the supervisors Inge Paemen: “The work involves removing asbestos and repairing and protecting the reinforced concrete ceilings… Asbestos was already removed from part of the ceilings in summer 2020. This will now be finished and the ceilings will also be repaired.” The work on four key tunnels is being undertaken at this time as traffic flow is 20% decreased during July and August. See: Two Brussels tunnels closed for works from Monday.

Asbestos Removal in Schools

Jul 17, 2024

The Office of Education in Chungnam City, Korea is implementing plans to remove asbestos from selected schools during the 2024 summer school holidays. On July 12th, attendees at a training session for individuals tasked with monitoring this work were informed that asbestos removal work would be undertaken in 37 schools. Among the team of monitors are: school principals or vice-principles, asbestos building safety managers, parents, members of civic groups, on-site representatives of asbestos dismantling and removal companies, and construction supervisors. See: 충남교육청, 여름방학 학교 석면해체·제거 감시단 교육 [Chungnam Office of Education, summer vacation school asbestos dismantling and removal monitoring group training].

Upcoming Decision on Asbestos Ban

Jul 16, 2024

The article cited below by veteran ban asbestos campaigner Brazilian Engineer Fernanda Giannasi is an excellent summation of the current state-of-play regarding the process of banning asbestos in Brazil. The commercial exploitation of asbestos was prohibited by order of the Supreme Court (STF) in 2017. Under a state granted exemption, which was and is unconstitutional, asbestos mining continued at the SAMA facility in Goiás State; all the fiber produced was exported. On August 14, 2024, the STF will, after a wait of 7 years, give its ruling on shutting down the mine. See: Fernanda Giannasi: Fim definitivo do amianto no Brasil está nas mãos do STF [Fernanda Giannasi: The definitive end of asbestos in Brazil is in the hands of the STF].

An End to the Asbestos Era?

Jul 16, 2024

On July 12, 2024, the head of Russia’s 2nd largest asbestos conglomerate: Uralasbest admitted that the outlook for the asbestos industry was bleak: “Over the past two decades, the situation on the chrysotile market has been getting worse every year. In different countries that are consumers of our products, there is pressure at the government level: opponents of chrysotile are calling for a ban on asbestos.” For this reason, Yuri Kozlov said, the company had been working to diversify with the launch of new production lines at its enterprises in Belgorod, Bryansk, Krymsk and Sterlitamak. See: Глава "Ураласбеста": новые линии производства откроют в Белгороде, Брянске и Крымске [Head of Uralasbest: New production lines will open in Belgorod, Bryansk and Krymsk].

Landmark Ruling for Bereaved

Jul 16, 2024

Last week, the Kobe District Court ordered the Japanese Government to pay 11,000 yen (US$70) to the family of a man who died from asbestos cancer because the Labor Standards Department had illegally destroyed records documenting his toxic exposure. It is believed that this is the first time that a punishment has been handed down for the mistaken disposal of public documents. See:「父も労災記録も戻ってこない」アスベスト吸い込み死亡の男性　労基署が記録廃棄　国に賠償命じる判決 [“Neither my father nor the records of his work-related accident were returned” - Man dies after inhaling asbestos; Labor Standards Office destroys records; court orders government to pay compensation].

Asbestos at the University

Jul 16, 2024

Sixteen lecture halls were closed on July 6, 2024 at the University of Lille, France after routine maintenance work discovered traces of asbestos on June 17, 2024 in air handling units of lecture halls built during the 1960s at the University of Lille, France. The authorities say that asbestos remediation and refurbishment work required to make the premises safe will take at least 2 years and cost several million euros. See: L'Université de Lille ferme 16 amphis du campus Cité scientifique après la découverte d'amiante [The University of Lille closes 16 lecture halls on the Cité scientifique campus after the discovery of asbestos].

Asbestos Crime & Punishment

Jul 16, 2024

In return for $3,000,000 (US$3.9m), between 2018 and 2022 Devon landowner Christopher Garrett allowed 12,000 tonnes of asbestos debris to be dumped on land designated as a floodplain alongside his home. According to the Environment Agency (EA), this is the worst such crime ever to have been committed in Devon and Cornwall. Exeter Crown Court last week sentenced the 64-year old defendant to 32 months in jail and ordered him to pay £200,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The EA believes it would cost in excess of £2.5m to decontaminate the site. See: Devon man sentenced to 32 months for dumping waste on floodplain.

Asbestos Remediation Program

Jul 16, 2024

Toxic asbestos-cement pipes which are part of the water delivery network serving 8,000 households in the Greek city of Lagadas in Thessaloniki are finally being replaced. The €4,000,000 (US$4.36m) project was approved by the Ministry of the Interior. In addition to the human health risk posed by the aging toxic pipes, they were also liable to leak and/or burst necessitating frequent and expensive repairs to be carried out on the obsolete network. See: Λαγκαδάς: Ξηλώνεται επιτέλους το δίκτυο αμιάντου στο σύστημα ύδρευσης [Lagadas: The asbestos network in the water supply system is finally being dismantled].

Propaganda Camouflaged as History

Jul 11, 2024

The article cited below, which was uploaded on July 8, 2024 to a Russian-language news portal, reviewed the positive contribution the asbestos sector had made to Russia and the glowing long-term prospects for the industry. Technological experimentation has succeeded in producing new uses for asbestos and the mining debris left behind once the chrysotile (white) asbestos fiber is extracted. Amongst the substances now being reclaimed from the waste are: sports magnesia, silica and components for use by the steel and rubber industries. See: Метаморфозы горного льна [Metamorphoses of mountain flax].

Asbestos: Australia vs Indonesia

Jul 11, 2024

When comparing asbestos policies in Australia and Indonesia, author Gwyn Roberts pointed out that in the 1980s there was a divergence of attitude by the countries, finalizing in asbestos being banned in Australia in 2003. In Indonesia, however, there is no prohibition on asbestos use and the country is the world’s 2nd largest importer. Ban asbestos mobilization is gaining traction and in March 2024 the Supreme Court mandated that asbestos-containing products sold in the country must carry health warnings. Lobbyists at the Chrysotile Information Center and elsewhere continue to spread industry reassurances that chrysotile asbestos is safe for humans to use despite the WHO, ILO and other international agencies categorizing chrysotile asbestos as a Group 1 carcinogen. See: Asbestos danger.