News Archive

Sad news contained in a press release by the Belgian Asbestos Victims group (ABEVA) on December 15, 2024 was reported by several Belgian and French news outlets earlier this week. The ABEVA announcement confirmed the mesothelioma death of ABEVA President Eric Jonckheere, aged 66; four other members of his family had also died from the same cancer. See: Décès d'Eric Jonckheere, président de l'Association belge des victimes de l'amiante [Death of Eric Jonckheere, President of the Belgian Association of Asbestos Victims].

Legal Victory in Rio de Janeiro

Dec 19, 2024

A Regional Labor Court in Rio de Janeiro ordered the São Paulo company Teadit, a producer of asbestos-containing construction materials, to pay compensation of R$1.1 million (US$179,000) to the family of a former employee who died aged 72 in 2018 from the signature asbestos cancer, mesothelioma. According to the judge: “it cannot be forgotten that the employer contributed to the illness that killed the employee, since it did not provide him with the necessary safety to perform his duties.” See: Justiça manda indenizar família de homem morto por exposição a amianto [Court orders compensation for family of man killed by asbestos exposure].

Asbestos Phase-Out

Dec 19, 2024

Olin, one of the few American chloralkali production companies still relying on asbestos technology, announced last week that it would be transitioning to an alternative and safer process at its facilities in Texas by the end of 2025. Olin facilities in Alabama have already ended asbestos use while plans are progressing for facilities in Louisiana to adopt non-asbestos-based processes. Earlier this year, the US government announced a deadline of 5-12 years for companies to phase out asbestos use in US chloralkali production. See: Olin to shut diaphragm chloralkali capacity that serves Dow’s Freeport PO unit.

Footing the Bill!

Dec 19, 2024

Campaigners are calling on Australian state and territory governments to take a more active role in eradicating the asbestos hazard from the built and natural environments. Despite adopting national prohibitions on asbestos use in 2003, it’s been estimated that about 6.4 million tonnes of asbestos-containing material remains hidden within the national infrastructure. Asbestos removal is an expensive process; private individuals as well as local councils struggle to find the necessary funds for decontamination. An award-winning council scheme in New South Wales offered a $10,000 (US$6,400) incentive to cover waste fees for property owners who cleared asbestos, using qualified contractors. The feedback from the program has been, to date, positive. See: Asbestos removal stalls as uninsured home owners baulk at clean-up cost.

Providing Clean and Safe Water

Dec 19, 2024

The Nigerian Government has announced a public-private partnership to enable the renewal and expansion of a water delivery system in Enugu State, Nigeria. According to Governor Mbah, the $100 million agreement between the state government and Austrian investors will not only provide the funding to complete the water project but will also cover the costs of replacing aging asbestos-cement water pipes with ductile pipes. Work on this project will start in January 2025. See: $100M Austrian Investment: Enugu Residents To Get Water At Minimum Cost, Mbah Assures.

Expansion of Asbestos Protections

Dec 19, 2024

On December 17, 2024 Korea’s Ministry of Environment announced that the Enforcement Decree of the Asbestos Safety Management Act and the Enforcement Decree of the Environmental Health Act had been revised. Under the new legislation, all children's centers will be designated as facilities subject to mandatory asbestos audits. In addition, asbestos safeguards are being improved so that even smaller children’s centers – those with areas of less than 50m² – will be required to conduct asbestos surveys from the end of December 2025. See: 석면·유해물 관리, 지역아동센터까지 확대…어린이 보호 [Asbestos and hazardous material management, expanded to local children's centers... Child Protection].

Partial Victory in NE France

Dec 17, 2024

On December 11, 2024, the Metz Court of Appeal ordered Luxembourg steelmaker ArcelorMittal to pay €10,000 (US$10,500) in damages to 58 out of 120 former employees who were suffering from “asbestos anxiety,” having been exposed to asbestos at the company’s sites in Gandrange, Florange and Rombas. Confirming the 2022 ruling of the Thionville Labor Court, the Court of Appeal found that the 62 other claims for “asbestos anxiety” were time-barred. Lawyers representing the unsuccessful plaintiffs are considering an appeal to the Supreme Court (the Court of Cassation). See: Exposition à l'amiante: ArcelorMittal condamné pour "préjudice d'anxiété" [Asbestos exposure: ArcelorMittal condemned for “anxiety damage”].

Supporting Osaka’s Asbestos Victims

Dec 17, 2024

Following the release of new asbestos disease data last week by the Japanese Government, victims’ groups in asbestos hotspots held telephone hotline sessions on December 12 & 13. In Osaka, the city with the country’s highest number of asbestos deaths (169), staff and volunteers from the Kansai Workers' Safety Center operated a free consultation service using a toll-free number between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on those days. See: 大阪は全国最多アスベストが原因で発症するとされる中皮腫で死亡した人被害者支援団体が相談電話 [Osaka has the highest number of deaths from mesothelioma, believed to be caused by asbestos, in Japan; victim support group launches hotline].

Victim’s Appeal Victory

Dec 17, 2024

A unanimous decision by the Regional Labor Court of Rio Grande do Sul, which overturned a ruling by a lower court, ordered an automotive parts manufacturer to pay compensation of 100,000 Brazilian reais (US$16,600) to a press operator who developed irreversible lung disease – interstitial pulmonary fibrosis – due to workplace asbestos exposures. The claimant had been employed by the company for 38 years. The decision can be appealed. See: Indústria de peças automotivas deve indenizar aposentado que desenvolveu doença pulmonar após mais de 30 anos de trabalho em contato com amianto [Auto parts industry must compensate retiree who developed lung disease after more than 30 years of working in contact with asbestos].

Compliance with Asbestos Waste Regs

Dec 17, 2024

On December 12, 2024 the governing body of southern Switzerland’s Valais Canton approved plans to increase unannounced inspections for landfills located in Charrat, Riddes and Grône; noncompliance with health and safety regulations have previously been reported at all these waste sites even though landfill operators are “required to take all measures to limit the risk of emission of asbestos fibres during unloading.” The Valais Deputies also mandated that the name of prospective landfills be provided as part of the public tender process for municipal construction projects. See: Amiante: plus de contrôles inopinés dans les décharges valaisannes [Asbestos: more unannounced checks at Valais landfills].

Pleural Plaques: Update

Dec 17, 2024

An article published in the New England Journal of Medicine on December 7, 2024 reported findings of “acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)” in X-rays taken of two sisters who had been exposed to asbestos on their father’s work clothes. He had been employed as a thermal insulator and returned home covered in “snow-like particles.” Both of the sisters had extensive calcified plaques in both lungs and were diagnosed as suffering from secondhand childhood exposure to asbestos. See [subscription site]: Pleural Plaques from Secondhand Asbestos Exposure.

Asbestos Mining Continues Despite Ban

Dec 17, 2024

The extremely thoughtful and informed article cited below described the ongoing asbestos contradiction which exists in Brazil. Despite the fact that the production, processing and transport of asbestos was banned years ago by the Supreme Court, the Cana Brava chrysotile (white) asbestos mine – owned by SAMA Minerações (SAMA Minerals) – continues to operate in Goiás State. In contravention of national asbestos prohibitions, Goiás legislators adopted a law postponing the deadline for ending asbestos mining until 2029. See: Proíbido e cancerígeno, ainda se extrai Amianto no Brasil [Banned and carcinogenic, asbestos is still extracted in Brazil].

New Government Disease Data

Dec 13, 2024

On December 11, 2024 Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare released the most recent data showing an increase in the number of construction and other workers certified with occupational injuries and diseases caused by workplace exposure to asbestos. There were 1,232 successful applications in 2023, which was the 13th consecutive year that the number of cases exceeded 1,000. The Ministry also published the names and locations of the businesses which had employed the injured claimants. See: アスベスト労災認定昨年度1232人 13年連続1000人超 [Asbestos workers’ accident certification: 1,232 people last year, more than 1,000 people for 13 consecutive years].

Legislation to Strike Out Asbestos Claims

Dec 13, 2024

On December 10, 2024 a major hurdle in progressing legislative efforts to bar claimants in Ohio from accessing compensation for asbestos-related diseases was overcome when the State’s House of Representatives voted to support Senate Bill 63 which, according to plaintiffs’ lawyer Shawn Acton, “will snuff out most asbestos lawsuits prematurely in the legal process.” The draft law now returns to the Senate which must approve changes made in the House. If the Senate agrees to the amendments, the bill goes to the Governor to be signed into law. See: Ohio lawmakers pass bill to make asbestos suits harder to win.

Asbestos in Gauteng’s Schools

Dec 13, 2024

The Democratic Alliance (DA) of the South African Province of Gauteng called for urgent action to eliminate asbestos contamination of Gauteng’s 29 schools. The DA’s Chair, Mike Moriarty, demanded a timetabled response to the asbestos emergency and “greater accountability from the Gauteng Department of Education and the Department of Infrastructure Development,” neither of which accepts responsibility for the serious health risk to the 25,000 students and 700 teachers using these facilities. See: Democratic Alliance Demands Immediate Action to Eradicate Asbestos Structures in Gauteng Schools.

A Work in Progress

Dec 13, 2024

According to staff at the offices of the CFDT Miners trade union in the Freyming-Merlebach commune in northeastern France, the process of obtaining compensation for anxiety experienced by former miners who had been occupationally exposed to asbestos is both time-consuming and bureaucratic. Despite the administrative difficulties, in 2021 asbestos anxiety claims brought by 700 Lorraine coal miners were recognized. The outcome of similar claims for 300 other miners is pending. See: Amiante, cancers... Ils ont travaillé dans les mines et sont maladies [Asbestos, cancers... They have worked in the mines and are sick].

One Nation’s Ongoing Asbestos Epidemic

Dec 13, 2024

During Australia’s National Asbestos Awareness Week, the deadly impact of occupational and non-occupational asbestos exposures was highlighted. Amongst people being newly diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases are a number of teenagers who were allegedly exposed to asbestos contained in their homes or schools. Different states have different protocols for dealing with asbestos, with no one government agency or authority tasked with protecting the population from a known carcinogen. Although asbestos use was banned in Australia more than 20 years ago, the built and natural environment remain contaminated. See: Asbestos diseases hitting young Aussies as warning issued to home renovators.

Mesothelioma Scheme: Update

Dec 13, 2024

Between April 2023 and March 2024, £26.6 million (US$33.9m) compensation was paid to hundreds of mesothelioma claimants by the UK Government’s Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme. People diagnosed with diffuse mesothelioma (or their dependents) “who were negligently exposed to asbestos during a period of employment, but who are unable to take legal action to seek financial redress through the civil courts” are eligible to bring a claim for a lump sum payment. Since the Scheme came into being, it has paid out £304.7m (US$387.8m) in compensation to 2,170 applicants. The Scheme is funded by a levy on the employers’ liability insurance industry. See: Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme annual statistics April 2014 to March 2024.

Asbestos Lobby on the Attack

Dec 10, 2024

Following a workshop in Russia at the end of November held by the asbestos industry-backed group the International Alliance of Trade Unions Chrysotile, a resolution was released by the participants and organizers calling on “all people of good will who use chrysotile asbestos to develop a consolidated position on the safety of the controlled use of the mineral and to defend it jointly at the international level.” See: Международный альянс профсоюзов выступил против запрета хризотила [The International Alliance of Trade Unions opposes the ban on chrysotile].

Asbestos Roofing on Public Buildings

Dec 10, 2024

On December 5, 2024, the Cabinet Secretary of Kenya’s Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Aden Duale reminded members of the National Assembly Public Petitions Committee that Kenya had banned asbestos 18 years ago. Despite his efforts to engage with other ministries to progress a national asbestos eradication program as an urgent matter of public safety, the pace of removal work has been slow. In consideration, therefore, his Ministry has set a deadline of the end of the month for all asbestos roofing to be removed from public buildings. See: CS Duale orders removal of asbestos roofing from Gov’t offices, schools, hospitals.

Lung Cancer Spike in Non-Smokers

Dec 10, 2024

The rise in lung cancer among non-smokers in India has led to a more precautionary approach to be recommended, including the use of High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) within “population-based screening programmes targeting high-risk groups.” Eligible cohorts for testing should include people who work with asbestos and other acknowledged carcinogens. As per the latest data, 50% of those diagnosed with lung cancer in India are non-smokers. According to Dr Badiger: “Early detection and tailored treatment remain the key to saving lives and mitigating the impact of lung cancer across India.” See: Surge in lung cancer rates among non-smokers in India drives the need for better diagnostic tools: Dr Badiger.

Asbestos Inspection Program

Dec 10, 2024

The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced a new asbestos inspection program to ensure that local authorities are managing the risk of asbestos according to government guidelines and legislation. The head offices of dozens of local councils will be visited and site visits will be made to several different council premises, including libraries, museums and leisure centers, to assess whether local authorities are complying with the “duty to manage” requirements as set out in Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. See: Councils’ asbestos management to be assessed during inspection campaign.

Mesothelioma Research: Update

Dec 10, 2024

Researchers from Australia’s National Centre for Asbestos-Related Diseases (NCARD) were part of a West Australian collaborative investigation into the psychological needs of mesothelioma patients and their carers. Having considered information supplied by 36 patients and 25 caregivers, the scientists found that support was needed to: ensure access to a range of information sources and contacts; coordinate appointments and treatment schedules; improve emotional and practical support services; and address patients’ and carers’ mental health concerns. See: NCARD Research Reveals Critical Support Needs for Mesothelioma Patients and Carers.

Roof Tiles from Recovered Plastic Waste

Dec 10, 2024

A pilot project in Indonesia to replace asbestos-cement roofing with hard-wearing roofing made from recycled plastic has been completed on two homes on Batam Island. According to a press release from the group Seven Clean Seas (SCS), each roof tile was created from 1.5 kg of plastic waste. The material needed for the two homes used 1,700 kg of plastic which was recovered from the ocean and turned it into 1,186 roofing tiles. Since 2018, SCS has recovered 4,500+ tonnes of ocean plastic. See: Transforming Lives With Innovation: Revolutionizing Housing with Recycled Roof Plates.

Asbestos Eradication Law in Catalonia

Dec 6, 2024

On December 3, 2024, President Salvador Illa approved a draft law to eradicate the asbestos hazard from Catalonia – which stipulated strict procedures and timelines for the removal of asbestos from the built environment. Once the law is implemented, fines of up to €100,000 (US$105,000) could be levied on property owners who fail to comply with asbestos removal orders. It will also become mandatory for asbestos certificates to be presented during all property transactions, including sales, purchases, and rentals. See: Government approves ‘pioneering’ bill to eradicate asbestos in Catalonia.