News Archive

A recently published academic paper by Italian researchers examined options for safely managing asbestos-containing waste with a focus on a new technology which “reduces the treatment time (and costs) and yields a reusable, asbestos-neutral building material.” Having considered various aspects of an innovative process for the thermal inertization of asbestos waste – as an alternative to landfill disposal – the authors of the paper recommended that further study be undertaken to assess “hidden environmental costs and risks.” See: Economic valuation of the thermal inertization of asbestos waste—an Italian case study.

Asbestos Tragedies on Land & Sea

Nov 18, 2024

Texts published last week in the French daily newspaper L'Humanité (Humanity), which were sadly behind a pay wall, documented the human consequences of historic asbestos use on land and at sea. The article cited below featured input from Dr Alain Carré, an occupational physician in the electricity and gas industries for more than three decades, whilst the other one (Jusqu'à 200 000 marins exposés à l'amiante: le drame silencieux des personnels de la Marine nationale [Up to 200,000 naval personnel exposed to asbestos: the silent drama of the French Navy) documented the effects of toxic exposures on naval personnel. See: Amiante: «On n’imagine pas le nombre de personnes qui ont été exposées» [Asbestos: “We can’t imagine the number of people who have been exposed”].

Legal Action against UK Conglomerate

Nov 18, 2024

Dozens of asbestos-injured claimants are suing one of the UK’s biggest asbestos groups – Cape PLC – and its global affiliates including Anglo American, De Beer Group PLC and others for the harm caused by their export of asbestos to US states such as South Carolina. According to the lawsuit, Cape executives colluded to hide the risks posed by the use of asbestos from its employees and others and “to avoid financial responsibility for the harm it knew it was causing” in US states. See: 159 Plaintiffs Sue Cape Asbestos Over Decades of Negligence and Fraud Stemming from Asbestos Exposure.

Government Settles Mesothelioma Claim

Nov 18, 2024

It was announced last week that a 73-year old man from Uji City, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2023, had reached a settlement with the Japanese Government four months after a lawsuit was begun; the settlement was approved by the Kyoto District Court. The claimant had been occupationally exposed to asbestos between 1969 and 1979 at a textile factory. He received the full amount of compensation he sought which was 12.65 million yen (US$82,000). See: アスベスト訴訟元作業員の男性が国と早期和解京都地裁 [Asbestos Lawsuit: Former Worker Reaches Early Settlement with Government Kyoto District Court].

New Water Source or Toxic Legacy?

Nov 18, 2024

Scientists from the National Asbestos Observatory are undertaking research to quantify whether or not there are asbestos fibers in mining wells in Thetford Mines and Val-des-Sources, cities where asbestos mines were operational throughout most of the 20th century. The purpose of this study was “to provide data to promote responsible management of the site.” Proposals have been made to use the wells as sources of drinking water; “there are currently no standards regarding asbestos in drinking water in Quebec.” See: Amiante: l’eau et les enfants sous la loupe des chercheurs à Val-des-Sources [Asbestos: water and children under the microscope of researchers in Val-des-Sources].

EU Asbestos at Work Directive

Nov 18, 2024

An online conference on “Asbestos at Work Directive’: Challenges and Opportunities,” is being held on November 28, 2024 by the European Commission. Speakers during the 4-hour afternoon session will consider the use of measures by Member States to facilitate “the effective implementation of the recently revised Asbestos at Work Directive.” Compliance with this Directive is essential to reduce the EU’s incidence of asbestos-related disease and death; “currently 4.1 to 7.3 million workers in the EU are exposed to asbestos… In 2019, occupational exposure to asbestos claimed over 70,000 lives in the EU.” See: European Commission to hold online asbestos conference.

Asbestos Dumped in the Mediterranean

Nov 15, 2024

A public scandal has erupted after it was revealed that six million tonnes of asbestos-containing material excavated from the seabed off the coast of Turkey’s Mersin Port was dumped back into the sea even though an asbestos alert had been contained in the environmental impact assessment provided to representatives of the development company. Highlighting the occupational, environmental and public health risk posed by the dregding of this polluted site, the Mersin Governor's Office and Mersin Metropolitan Municipality were urged to abandon the project. See: Mersin limanında denize 6 milyon ton zehir döktüler [6 million tons of poison dumped into the sea in the port of Mersin].

Asbestos Crimes in Demolition Sector

Nov 15, 2024

A report on Swedish Radio News on November 14, 2024 exposed the hazards created by small and large building companies which are failing to comply with health and safety regulations during asbestos removal operations and demolition work at buildings containing asbestos. Although Sweden banned asbestos in 1982, workers and members of the public are still at risk from toxic exposures. In 2023, inspectors at the Swedish Work Environment Authority reported 200 instances of noncompliance with asbestos removal regulations. See: Hundreds of safety violations when removing asbestos.

Asbestos Removal Disease Data

Nov 15, 2024

An analysis of disease data from a large UK cohort of licensed asbestos removal workers reported higher than expected mortality from the asbestos cancer, mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer. The researchers found “high smoking rates among asbestos workers and reported a greater than additive interaction between smoking and asbestos on lung cancer mortality… Smoking rates remain high (40%), nearly 10% of workers reported dry stripping asbestos, and fewer than 10 (<0.5%) reported having been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.” See: Fifty years of the Great Britain Asbestos Workers’ Survey (AWS): past, present and future.

Asbestos Trade Data

Nov 15, 2024

On October 21, 2024, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) uploaded “Advance Data Release of the 2023 Annual Tables (2023 tables-only release)” which contained updated asbestos production and consumption figures. Whilst total production worldwide was down to 1,240,000 tonnes (t), Russia and Kazakhstan retained their positions as top producers with outputs of 600,000t and 255,200t, respectively. India, China and Uzbekistan were the top three consuming countries using 482,000t, 284,000t and 125,000t, respectively. See: Asbestos Statistics and Information.

National Asbestos Crisis

Nov, 15, 2024

In a thought-provoking article by Cristina Billion, the relatives of Italian asbestos victims detailed personal tragedies they experienced as a result of toxic asbestos exposures at work, at home or in the environment. Salvatore Cimmino spoke of the death of his wife Anna Marie from the asbestos cancer mesothelioma; she had worked at a power station. Anna Maria Guzzi described the loss of her husband Fabio Guarnase (48) whose environmental and occupational exposure took place in their home town, Broni. Despite the countless asbestos deaths, few legal cases against owners, managers or employers have succeeded. See: We, Condemned by Asbestos.

Asbestos Eradication of Water System

Nov 15, 2024

VASKI – the utility in charge of the water and sewage systems in the Turkish district of Erciş, Van Province in the east of the country – has started to detoxify the drinking water system by replacing asbestos-containing pipes in the city center. According to the municipal authorities, to date 1,000+ asbestos pipes have been replaced to “ensure that citizens have access to healthy water.” During a recent photo opportunity, Van Municipality Co-Mayors Neslihan Şedal and Abdullah Zeydan examined the pipe renewal work and were briefed on the project by Department Head Bayram Kızıltaş and construction site foremen. See: VASKI renews Erciş's drinking water infrastructure.

Asbestos in Schools

Nov 11, 2024

In the article cited below, the author and trade unionist Hank Roberts discussed recent research findings to substantiate the dangerous consequences of the Health and Safety Executive’s “wait and see” asbestos policy, calling for an immediate rethink by the Labour Government. Referencing articles by Steve Boggan in the Daily Mail as well as data from the report: What Is The Real Risk Of Asbestos In Schools, Roberts urged grassroots groups to “fight together in unity to ensure that we can finally get rid of the dreadful scourge killing our teachers, support staff and pupils in education.” See: Asbestos deaths in schools will grow.

“Historic” Award in Lung Cancer Appeal

Nov 11, 2024

The Italian shipyard company Fincantieri was ordered to pay compensation of €1,150,000 (US$1,240,000) to the family of a 65-year old Venetian carpenter and welder who died in 2015 from lung cancer due to routine asbestos exposures at his workplace. The ruling of the Venice Court of Appeals was hailed as “a historic decision” as it vastly increased the size of the first instance court’s €80,000 award and confirmed “the causal link between the disease and prolonged [occupational] exposure to asbestos fibers…” See: Operaio morto per esposizione all’amianto, Fincantieri condannata a pagare un milione e 150mila euro [Worker died from exposure to asbestos, Fincantieri ordered to pay one million and 150 thousand euros].

Mayo Clinic Diagnostic Progress

Nov 11, 2024

A technique developed by researchers at the Mayo Clinic centers in Minnesota and Arizona could “increase the detection rate of cancer DNA in the blood. This approach focuses on shuffled or swapped sections of DNA in mesothelioma cancer cells, called chromosomal rearrangements.” By facilitating earlier diagnoses of mesothelioma, the new technique could allow more time for treatment as well as a wider option of targeted therapies to choose from. Based on preliminary positive results, there are plans to expand this study to fine tune the testing method. See: Innovative Mayo Clinic test may improve mesothelioma detection rate in blood.

Kudos for Researcher from China!

Nov 11, 2024

Developments reported on a Chinese news portal last week related that Dr Jiayan Liao, a Senior Lecturer at Sydney’s University of Technology, had been awarded the NSW Early Career Researcher of the Year (Physical Sciences) for her work on exploring how nanotechnology could be exploited to achieve early detection of mesothelioma cancer cells. Dr. Jiayan arrived in Australia from China in 2016 for her PhD studies which were completed in 2020. See: 悉尼华人学者获奖：探索纳米技术应用于早期癌症检测 [Sydney Chinese scholar wins award for exploring nanotechnology for early cancer detection].

Asbestos STILL in Schools

Nov 11, 2024

The dilapidated and dangerous state of the UK school estate – much of which contains deteriorating asbestos products – remained largely unaddressed in the first Labor Government’s budget since the election. The £1.4 billion allocated for the school rebuilding program and the £2.1 billion to maintain existing schools is just a £300 million increase; billions more are needed to eradicate the hazards posed by the presence of asbestos and Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) material to make the buildings safe for use by pupils and staff. See: UK budget: a pittance for crumbling, asbestos riddled schools.

Asbestos at Nursery Schools

Nov 11, 2024

Officials in Changwon City – the capital of South Korea’s South Gyeonsgsang Province – recently announced plans to subsidize asbestos removal expenses for six public and private daycare centers. The sum allocated for this project is around 100 million won (US$ 71,530) and is, say the municipal authorities, a necessary “investment…[to] protect children from the risks of asbestos and create a safe daycare environment.” See: 창원특례시, 어린이집 환경개선사업 추진 “박차 [Changwon Special City, “Accelerates” Promotion of Daycare Center Environment Improvement Project].

Promoting Asbestos Sales in 2024!

Nov 7, 2024

The article cited below – which was no longer accessible the day after IBAS uploaded the link via social media – confessed that Russia’s initiative in the creation of BRICS – “an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates” – in 2009 was to promote Russian economic interests such as those of the chrysotile (white) asbestos industry. Asbestos exports from Russia are sent to China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka etc. As global demand for asbestos plummets, Russian exporters are looking to BRICS to protect and grow asbestos markets. See: Международный диктат большинства: зачем нужен БРИКС? [International Dictate of the Majority: Why Do We Need BRICS?].

Well Done, Nicola!

Nov 7, 2024

Earlier this week, Western Australia’s annual Premier Student Scientist of the Year Award was presented to PhD candidate Nicola Principe, an immunologist from the University of Western Australia researching protocols for treating the deadly asbestos cancer mesothelioma by harnessing the body’s own immune system to kill cancer cells. In addition to her research, Nicola and three other PhD students – Lizeth Orozco, Jess Boulter and Caitlin Tilsed – established the Western Australian Kindness in Science initiative to provide mental support for young scientists. See: WA Student Scientist of the Year 2024.

Asbestos in Schools

Nov 7, 2024

According to the French trade union Sud-Éducation 53, hazardous conditions at many asbestos-containing primary schools, high schools and colleges in Mayenne, France persist due to non-compliance with health and safety guidelines. As a result, the health of students as well as staff members is been endangered. Asbestos-containing pipes, plaster, slates, floor, ceiling and roofing tiles, etc. were widely used in the construction of educational institutions in France, especially those built in the 1970s. See: De nombreux élèves mayennais confrontés sans le savoir à de l'amiante dans leur établissement, selon Sud-Éducation 53 [Many Mayenne students unknowingly confronted with asbestos in their school, according to Sud-Éducation 53].

Online Asbestos Resource for Schools

Nov 7, 2024

On October 31, 2024, a new guidance document: Managing asbestos in your school or college was uploaded to the website of the Department of Education. The publication is intended to assist school leaders, governors, local authorities and academy trusts in England with their duty to safely manage asbestos in schools and colleges. The publication supplements information from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) contained in various other documents including: The duty to manage asbestos in buildings and Asbestos management checklist for schools. See: Managing asbestos in your school or college.

Contamination of the Built Environment

Nov 7, 2024

An asbestos audit in Jeju City, the capital of the Jeju Province in South Korea, conducted from May to October 2024, confirmed the ubiquity of asbestos-containing roofing with 26,758 buildings showing signs of contamination. The vast majority of these buildings were still in use. The worst affected area was the Aewol-eup neighborhood of the capital with 3,250 toxic structures. Based on the survey results, the city plans to implement measures to promote asbestos eradication and replacement projects. See: 1급 발암물질 석면 건축물 ‘애월읍 최다’ 철거 추진 [Promotion of demolition of class 1 carcinogen asbestos buildings ‘mostly in Aewol-eup’].

Asbestos Waste Collection in Brittany

Nov 7, 2024

People interested in making use of the free municipal collection of asbestos waste must register their request by November 8 on the website of the Joint union for the collection and sorting of household waste (Syndicat mixte de collecte et tri des déchets ménageres /Smictom) of the Fougères commune of the Ille-et-Vilaine department, Brittany, France. There are strict labelling and packaging requirements for this one-off collection of the asbestos waste which is limited to 0.5 m3 per household. See: Une collecte d’amiante organisée dans le pays de Fougères [An asbestos collection organized in the Fougères region].

Toxic Talc Recall

Nov 4, 2024

Asbestos fibers found in baby powder during routine tests by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prompted a recall earlier this week of talc-based Dynacare Baby Powder in 35 US States. Commenting on this development, a spokesperson for the FDA said: “If talc mining sites are not carefully chosen or if proper steps are not taken to adequately purify the talc ore, it may contain asbestos.” The product was also sold on Amazon. Dynacare is asking customers to stop using the product and return it for a refund. See: Baby powder potentially laced with asbestos now under recall in 35 states.