News Archive

It has been estimated that the cost for decontaminating submarines belonging to the Royal Dutch fleet will cost many millions of euros. Today, news has been released that the Defence Department has costed the clean-up of the Zeeleeuw submarine at a million euros. According to the media, crew members have been exposed to hazardous asbestos fibers as a result of poorly handled maintenance and removal work. A TV program reported an incident of “incompetent removal” of a heating element which spread asbestos fibers via an air ventilation system. Remediation of three other submarines will be required in the coming years according to the Defence Department. See: Submarine asbestos cleanup could get pricey.

The Ties that Kill

Jan 10 2015

The Bangkok Post today reported the support of Thailand's industry minister Chakramon Phasukavanich for increased financial links with Russia, the country which supplies 80% of all asbestos imports to Thailand. From January to November 2014, Thailand purchased 525 million baht (US$16m) of Russian asbestos. Commenting on this trade, the Minister said: “If the use of asbestos is banned… the burden to replace all products that contain asbestos would fall on the government. This would require a lot of money.” In none of the countries that banned asbestos has this happened. See: Russia keen on closer ties.

Quebec’s Post-Asbestos Era

Jan 10, 2015

On Thursday, January 8, 2015, Laurent Lessard, a Member of Quebec’s National Assembly and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Regions, was presented by the Appalachian Economic Coordination Committee with a plan for the economic diversification of the Thetford area, one of Quebec’s former asbestos mining regions. The document calls for an investment of $120 million in a range of target areas, including education, infrastructure, promotion, food, research, manpower recruitment and health. See: Ère post-amiante dans la région de Thetford: des projets espérés de 120 M$ [Post-asbestos era in Thetford region: $120 million project].

Death of Mesothelioma Victim

Jan 9 2015

The South African Mail & Guardian has reported the death of mesothelioma victim Charlie Bruwer on Jan. 5, 2015, two weeks after the Occupational Compensation Fund approved his claim. This government fund is notorious for delays in processing claims and its bureaucratic processes; it has been investigated for fiscal irregularities. Although Mr. Bruwer’s claim was submitted in Oct. 2013, it took the involvement of lawyers and a high court judgment for him to obtain recognition of his legal entitlement. Because of the delay in receiving compensation, the victim was unable to access medical care which might have eased his symptoms. See: Asbestos payout came too late.

Proposal to Recoup Asbestos Costs

Jan 9, 2015

On January 7, 2015 a bill was presented by Stuart McMillan MSP to the Scottish Parliament which aims to recoup the costs of diagnosing and treating people with asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) from their former employers. McMillan informed Parliament that currently £20+ million is being spent on treating people with ARDs in Scotland. Commenting on this bill, a spokeswoman for the Glasgow-based campaigning group Clydeside Action on Asbestos predicted the consultation on this proposal, which is open till March 30, will receive negative input from insurers who could face a multi-million pound bill for these charges. See: Plans for NHS to recoup asbestos costs.

Court Voids Extrajudicial Agreement

Jan 9, 2015

A São Paulo court has issued a claimant’s verdict on behalf of the surviving family of a man who had worked for the Brazilian asbestos manufacturer Brasilit. The worker died in 2013 of mesothelioma after exposure at work during the 1970s. An extrajudicial agreement the family had signed with the company which paid them US$57,325 was “illegal,” according to Judge Luiz Felipe Sampaio Briseli who highlighted the company’s failure to provide a safe workplace environment and awarded $R900,000 (US$340,000) to the family. See: Família de ex-empregado vítima do amianto receberá R$ 900 mil de indenização [Family of former employee victim of asbestos will receive £900,000 compensation].

Environmental Contamination in Turkey

Jan 8 2015

The Health Ministry has announced that asbestos contamination is widespread in Turkey’s rural areas. Samples from 379 villages, some of which have populations of 150,000, showed high airborne levels of asbestos. The official response has been one of caution – evacuations are not required but measures should be implemented to minimize hazardous exposures to prevent thousands of future cancer cases. In Istanbul last month reports were circulating about the risk posed by unregulated demolition of asbestos-containing buildings See: Evacuation ruled out after asbestos alert.

Spain’s Asbestos Epidemic

Jan 8, 2015

A piece in today’s issue of the Catalan newspaper “El Punt Avui” (The Point Today) highlights the ongoing regional epidemic of asbestos-related disease. Experts who have litigated thousands of personal injury claims against Spanish asbestos producers report that the cases seen so far are the tip of the iceberg and that the incidence of disease is likely to increase until 2024. Those affected by deadly exposures include workers, relatives and members of the public who inhaled asbestos fibers via environmental exposures. Even though asbestos is banned in Spain, the health risk remains from asbestos-containing products within the national infrastructure. See: Sentenciats per l'amiant [Sentenced by asbestos].

Carcinogens Do Indeed Cause Cancer

Jan 8, 2015

Professor Annie Thebaud-Mony responded on January 7 to an article, published in the journal “Science,” on January 2, which said that, predominantly, bad luck caused cancer. Having analyzed the erroneous logic of authors Christian Tomasetti and Bert Vogelstein, Thebaud-Mony pointed out that eliminating exposure to carcinogens in the workplace, environment and homes can prevent the occurrence of cancer. The contentious study was partially funded by the Virginia & DK Ludwig Fund for Cancer Research, a fund set up by American billionaire and shipping magnate Daniel Ludwig. See: Non, le cancer n’est pas le fruit du hasard! [No, cancer is not a coincidence!].

Damage from Low Level Exposures

Jan 7, 2015

A paper in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine confirms the health risk posed by exposure to low levels of asbestos. Researchers followed up a cohort of 513 individuals who had been exposed to asbestos whilst working at a vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana: “Of 191 workers with available CT scans, 53 percent had asbestos-related changes of the tissue lining the lungs (pleura), while 13 percent had changes of the lung substance (parenchyma).” Abnormalities were present even in subjects whose exposures had been three to ten times less than today’s permitted standards. See: Low Levels of Libby Asbestos Exposure Linked to Lung Abnormalities.

Court Ordered Asbestos Phase-Out

Jan 6, 2014

On January 5, 2015, a ruling was published in the Brazilian state of Paraná which ordered that Multilit Cement, a company based in the state capital, phase out the use of asbestos in its manufacturing of tiles and water tanks within the next three years. Failure to comply with this directive will be punished by daily fines of R$ 50,000 (US$18,500+); the penalties will be paid to the Brazilian Association of the Asbestos-Exposed (ABREA). New checks were mandated until the company is asbestos-free. See: Empresa é condenada a substituir amianto na fabricação de telhas e caixas d’água [Company is ordered to replace asbestos in the manufacture of tiles and water tanks].

Editorial Calling for Asbestos Ban

Jan 5, 2015

On January 4, 2015, the Bangkok Post issued a stinging rebuke to the Thai government for its failure in December 2014 to adopt a proposal by the Public Health Ministry to ban the use of asbestos. Having acknowledged the pro-ban stance of leading international agencies and the health risks posed by continued use, the article highlights the efforts of Professor Vithaya Kulsomboon, a leading anti-asbestos campaigner and member of the National Legislative Assembly. The fight by national vested interests to maintain the status quo is strengthened by international forces; it is suggested that trade links with Russia might be jeopardized by unilateral action. See: Asbestos inertia will cost lives.

Files Reveal Asbestos Skulduggery

Jan 3, 2015

A file just released by the Public Records Office in Belfast details pressure exerted by Turner and Newall, nicknamed the UK “Asbestos Giant,” on civil servants and officials to increase the use of asbestos-containing building materials in government projects. The provision of meals and trips by the company in 1969 seemed to effect a U-turn in government policy which benefited the company, according to memos and documents made public this week. Much of the communication disclosed relates to the operations of factories belonging to Turners Asbestos Cement Co. Ltd. in Ballyclare and Manchester. See: Government U-turn on killer asbestos after firm took officials out for lunch.

Illegal Asbestos Imports by Croatia

Jan 2, 2015

Although, under EU law, Croatia banned the use of asbestos, official data confirm that in the last three years thousands of tonnes of products containing white and blue asbestos were imported. Even when the toxic component of the products was declared, entry was permitted. According to a Croatian journalist, the duty of preventing the import of toxic material falls in a grey area between the Customs Administration (Ministry of Finance) and the Health Inspectorate (Ministry of Health), neither of which has acted to protect the population from the hazard. See: Santé publique: la Croatie, le cheval de Troie de l’amiante au sein de l’UE [Public health: Croatia, the EU’s Trojan asbestos horse].

Maritime Asbestos Legacy

Dec 31, 2014

In 2011, a 12,000-tonne vessel – the MV Miner – became stranded off the Nova Scotia coast en route from Turkey to Montreal. Last month, it was announced that the derelict ship contained 30 tonnes of asbestos, five times what the federal authorities had estimated. Other unwelcome discoveries, including the presence of 30,000 litres of diesel, have pushed the expected clean-up costs way over the original budget of $11.9m. Provincial authorities are calling on the federal government for logistical and financial assistance. See: Province seeks help from feds in clean-up of MV Miner off Scatarie Island.

Asbestos in Tsunami Reconstruction

Dec 29, 2014

An exposé published on Christmas Eve revealed that Australian funds used in post-tsunami reconstruction in Indonesia purchased asbestos-containing materials despite contractual stipulations that all acquisitions were to be asbestos-free. During 2005 to 2007, the toxic products were used in the ceilings, partition walls and eaves in new build schools, a warehouse and 90+ village halls in Aceh. Removal work was undertaken to decontaminate the affected premises and the toxic waste was dumped at designated sites; concerns, however, remain over the presence of asbestos in other constructions. See: Boxing Day tsunami: asbestos used in rebuilding effort funded by AusAid.

New Era in Fight for Asbestos Justice

Dec 27, 2014

Raffaele Guariniello, the Italian Prosecutor at the heart of criminal proceedings against former executives of the Eternit Asbestos Group, is progressing investigations related to the asbestos deaths of Italians employed by Eternit in Brazil. Research undertaken in conjunction with the Brazilian Association of the Asbestos-Exposed has identified 40 Italian families which lost a member to asbestos disease as a result of toxic exposure in Brazil. Documents showing links between Eternit’s asbestos operations in Brazil and Italy could be crucial in establishing the judicial forum for future proceedings. See: Luta das vítimas do amianto ganha novo capítulo [The fight for asbestos victims starts a new chapter].

India’s Invisible Asbestos Victims

Dec 22, 2014

The legacy of asbestos mining operations in the Indian State of Jharkhand, in the northeast of the country, persists in the lungs of local people and in the environment. Recent tests showed that up to 14.3% of the soil content in the vicinity of mines was asbestos. Despite the high level of hazard this poses, government officials and industry representatives continue to deny responsibility for the high incidence of disease in the communities near the mine sites. A case is now being brought in the environment court to force the polluters to undertake decontamination work, compensate the injured and establish a fund for future victims. See: Forgotten asbestos mine sickens Indian villagers.

Asbestos Scandal Unfolds

Dec 22, 2014

On December 21, an article in the liberal newspaper Taraf detailed the unregulated demolition of asbestos-containing buildings throughout Istanbul as part of a huge urban regeneration program. According to the Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning, it was not possible to obtain information about the presence of asbestos from the relevant municipalities; in the absence of this knowledge, preventive actions could not be taken. Politician Haluk Eyidogan, representing the Turkish opposition, is confronting the government over this issue; he pointed out that there is no facility in Turkey for the safe disposal or storage of asbestos waste. See: Urban demolitions spread asbestos as precautions forsaken.

Asbestos Conference: Proceedings

Dec 20, 2014

The annals of the International Day for Asbestos Victims has been published by ANDEVA, the French association which organized a series of events in 2012 including this symposium. Chapters of the English and French language texts can be downloaded separately or as one file from the ANDEVA website. The contents cover a wide range of subjects and geographical areas; the authors include grassroots campaigners, politicians, academics, medical professionals and epidemiologists from five continents. See: International Day for Asbestos Victims [Journée international des victims d’amiante].

Asbestos Prosecutions of Executives

Dec 22, 2014

On December 19, 2014, prosecutors in Northern Italy asked that thirty-three people be indicted over asbestos deaths at an Olivetti factory. Amongst those being charged of culpable homicide were high-profile businessmen and government ministers including Corrado Passera, Italy’s Minister of Transport and Industry from 2011 to 2013. The case concerns the suspicious deaths of 14 workers who had been employed from the 1960s to the 1990s at the company’s factory in Ivrea, near Turin. In 2012, Turin’s Court of Appeal had convicted executive Ottorino Beltrami of manslaughter under similar circumstances. See: Trial requested for 33 in Olivetti asbestos case.

Asbestos: Chapter 2

Dec 20, 2014

In an article in Le Monde this week, journalist Stephane Foucart referenced a “remarkable” new book by Professor Annie Thebaud-Mony entitled “Science Enslaved” (see: La Science asservie) which exposes links between science and industry. Thebaud-Mony highlighted the 2013 controversy over Paolo Boffetta, an Italian scientist who at that time was being considered for one of France’s highest scientific positions. Amongst the issues highlighted was the publication by Boffetta and his co-author of an article which declared “no conflicts of interest” when both authors were consultants to asbestos industrialists. See: Amiante, chapitre II [Asbestos, chapter 2].

Update on Victims’ Mobilization

Dec 20, 2014

As a result of continuing pressure exerted by Japanese asbestos victims’ groups, the Ministry of Labor disclosed the names of companies where asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) have been recognized as occupationally-caused. This information has been recorded by the victims’ groups on a database which can be consulted by the public. On December 18 and 19, the Japanese network of asbestos victims and their supporters operated a nationwide telephone consultation service for victims and their families. They received 200 calls. Japan has a high incidence of ARDs due to heavy use of asbestos. Asbestos was banned in phases, a full ban was reached in 2012. See: Japan Asbestos Profile.

Victory in New South Wales

Dec 19, 2014

Today (December 19), the New South Wales (NSW) Government has announced a crisis program similar to the one set up in Canberra for dealing with the issue of homes contaminated with loose fill “Mr Fluffy” asbestos insulation. A NSW taskforce is being established to implement a buy-back program which will draw on government funds to purchase and demolish contaminated properties. Immediate financial support is being made available to affected households through the “Make Safe” assistance package. It has been estimated that more than 5,000 homes could be affected. See: NSW government endorses asbestos inquiry and announces crisis package.

Asbestos Use Continues in Vietnam!

Dec 19, 2014

Media reports from Hanoi indicate that the status quo regarding the use of chrysotile (asbestos) will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future after a meeting in the capital on December 17 which was addressed by pro-asbestos lobbyists from Latin America and the U.S. Urging the adoption of a national ban, health experts from the Vietnam Government cited data from international agencies substantiating the proven risks of exposure to all types of asbestos. Despite the known hazard, the Vice Minister of Construction Nguyen Tran Nam said there remained a lack of “convincing evidence.” See: Vietnam to stick to white asbestos, despite cancer concern.