News Archive

The Ministry of Health has ordered the immediate seizure of illegal thermos flasks from China which were on sale in a market in the town of Belluno, northern Italy. The contraband items were marked with the brand “DayDays” and barcode number: 8301182614705. Analyses of the contents of the 1.4L vessels revealed the presence of chrysotile (white) asbestos between layers of glass insulation around the flask. Other asbestos-contaminated thermos flasks imported to Italy from China were seized by officials in 2014 and 2015. See: Thermos con amianto ritirato dal mercato. Ennesimo caso segnalato dal Ministero della salute [Thermoses with asbestos removed from the market].

Clinic for High Risk Workers Reopens

Jan 20, 2016

A medical clinic which treats asbestos-exposed workers will reopen in February 2016 in Terni, a city in central Italy, to provide health monitoring for those at high risk of contracting occupationally-induced asbestos-related diseases, as part of a national project. The aim of the free healthcare is to provide early diagnoses of asbestos diseases in order to maximize the efficacy of medical interventions and to counsel workers on lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of disease – e.g. the cessation of smoking. See: Terni, riapre l’ambulatorio per lavoratori esposti ad amianto: ecco come funziona [Terni, reopens clinic for asbestos-exposed workers: this is how it works].

Guilty Pleas over Asbestos Infringements

Jan 20, 2016

On January 13, 2016, guilty pleas were entered regarding failures to comply with federal environmental regulations during asbestos removal work on board a Mississippi River steamship constructed in 1976. Director Elaine Chiu and her California-based company admitted failing to inform state regulators about the contamination prior to the commencement of demolition work. Sentencing will be in May 2016 with Ms. Chiu facing up to two years in jail and substantial fines, and her company up to five years’ probation as well as hefty financial penalties. See: Mississippi Queen steamboat asbestos case ends with two guilty pleas – owner, company failed to disclose the deadly material to regulators.

Commentary Calls for Global Asbestos Ban

Jan 20, 2016

A text just published online in the Environmental Health Journal calls on national governments to stop building with asbestos and on international agencies to apply the same strict procedures for interaction with representatives of the asbestos industry as they do for tobacco lobbyists. Author Dr. Barry Castleman provides an extensive list of how asbestos vested interests have forestalled government regulation of their industry which includes: the suppression of medical and experimental findings, the manipulation of the media, the use of spurious industry-backed trade associations, the withholding of factual evidence and the targeting of industry critics. See: The export of hazardous industries in 2015.

“No Asbestos” Action Group in Tuscany

Jan 19, 2016

The legacy of asbestos use continues to impact on life in Sovigliana, a neighbourhood of the town of Vinci, Tuscany. Dozens of residents have joined a “No Asbestos” protest group to highlight the imminent risk to human health of old asbestos-covered industrial buildings within close proximity to residential areas. Demands are being made for the municipality to intervene and assess the danger posed by the decrepit asbestos-cement roofing on the properties. The factory owners claim that tests show there is no dispersion of asbestos from this source. See: “Basta amianto tra le case,” comitato guida la rivolta a Sovigliana [Fed up with asbestos, Sovigliana action group is formed].

Asbestos in Road Surfaces

Jan 19, 2016

In France, between 1977 and 1995, some companies incorporated asbestos into asphalt surfaces for use on busy roads such as those near airports to make them more durable and impervious to temperature changes. As part of the tightening of government regulations regarding asbestos exposures, it has become mandatory for owners/managers to report the presence of asbestos in road networks. New measures to identify, quantify and deal with asbestos contamination of these surfaces is being explored by technical experts. See: La recherche d'amiante dans les enrobés routiers en pleine evolution [New methodologies for finding asbestos in road asphalt].

Trouble in Asbestos Paradise?

Jan 18, 2016

The JSC Scientific Research and Design Institute of the Asbestos Industry is the Russian asbestos industry’s technical institute; the company and its premises have been put up for sale with a deadline of March 15, 2016 for the submission of tenders. The institute also undertakes non-asbestos work including technological research and development for the chemical, construction, agricultural and mining sectors. It is not yet clear what the sale will mean for the 102 people who work at JSC. The possibility of the institute being closed down cannot be discounted. See: Город Асбест потихоньку продают с молотка [Quick Sale of Asbestos Industry Institute].

Asbestos Hazard after Bush Fire

Jan 18, 2016

In the aftermath of the Waroona-Harvey bushfire which killed two men and destroyed 162 homes in the small south west town of Yarloop, a spokesperson for the Government of Western Australia (WA), said that asbestos levels were “the highest ever seen by WA Health Department.” Residents were told the town was now a no-go area. On Friday, January 15th deputy chief health officer Andrew Robertson downgraded the asbestos risk saying that he expected testing would show low levels in public outdoor areas with higher levels in properties containing asbestos material. See: WA fires: government moves to calm fears of Yarloop asbestos danger.

Victim’s Verdict in Zaragoza

Jan 18, 2016

Last week, the Superior Court of Aragon (TSJA) dismissed an appeal by GM Spain of a judgment requiring it to pay compensation of €100,000 plus legal costs and interest to the widow of Luis Tirado, who was negligently exposed to asbestos when he worked for the company between 1983 and 1987. Upholding the lower court’s indictment of the company’s dangerous practices, the TSJA ruled that the deadly consequences of asbestos exposures for unprotected workers were “foreseeable.” See: Desestimado el recurso de GM contra el fallo que le obligaba a indemnizar a la viuda del empleado fallecido por Amianto [Rejection of GM appeal against asbestos compensation order for worker’s wife].

Raising Awareness of Asbestos Hazards

Jan 17, 2016

A blog on January 16, 2016 which expressed concerns about the health of Colombia’s Vice President Germán Vargas Lleras highlighted his connections to national asbestos stakeholders. When Lleras was Housing Minister he approved plans for asbestos to be used in the construction of 100,000 new homes; his brother Henry was on the board of Eternit, an asbestos building materials producer that occupies a dominant position in the asbestos sector. While the industry lobby denies that human exposures to asbestos are hazardous, more cases of asbestosis are being diagnosed. See: Germán “Asbestos” Lleras.

Prospective Asbestos Waste Site in Alsace

Jan 17, 2016

People living in Niederbronn-les-Bains, in north-eastern France turned out in their hundreds yesterday (January 16, 2016) to support a protest over plans by a private company to build an asbestos landfill in their town. A petition circulated on the day has now collected more than 1,300 signatures. Voicing their outrage, people from this spa town have decried the clandestine manner with which the planning application has been progressed, and expressed their fears over the health risks posed by bringing 150,000 tonnes of asbestos waste into the town. See: Dépôt d’amiante à Niederbronn : 350 personnes dans les rues [Asbestos waste site in Niederbronn: 350 people on the streets].

Outdated Asbestos Policy in Malta

Jan 16, 2016

At a press conference in Valletta, Mark Gauci of Malta’s Occupational Health and Safety Authority reported that the use of asbestos sheeting was still a mandatory fire precaution in his report into national safety legislation which, he said, “needs reviewing”. A classic example of the confused regime was the lack of a Fire Safety Act; in the vacuum which persists, it is unclear which government agency is responsible for fire safety at public events: “Many think it is the Civil Protection Department which is responsible for fire safety but they do not have the legal basis to take many executive action(s),” he said. See: Health, safety legislation in Malta ‘conflicting and outdated’.

Jail for Asbestos Crimes

Jan 16, 2016

Canadian contractor Daniel Lane of the “HomeSeal” company has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $45,000 for contravening asbestos health and safety regulations during removal work undertaken in the Greater Toronto Area. Lane was convicted on nine counts under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Passing sentence, the Justice of the Peace said the accused had lied to homeowners and shown a total disregard for their health and that of his workers. Lane also illegally dumped asbestos waste on private property. See: Contractor sentenced to 30 days for shoddy asbestos removal work.

Action on Asbestos in Schools

Jan 16, 2016

On January 15, 2016, Portugal’s Prime Minister António Costa gave assurances that by the end of 2017 the most serious threats posed by asbestos in schools would be resolved. According to the PM’s statement, given in response to a question by Deputy Heloísa Apolónia, the Government is producing an action plan which will prioritize remediation of the most hazardous situations. More information on how this issue will be tackled in all public buildings has been requested. See: Governo promete resolver situações mais graves de amianto até final do ano letivo 2016/2017 [Government promises to deal with most serious asbestos problems in schools by the end of 2016/2017].

The One Billion Dollar Asbestos Mine

Jan 15, 2016

It is looking increasingly unlikely that the Zimbabwe Government will be able to find backers with sufficient capital and interest to facilitate the resuscitation of the country’s chrysotile (white) asbestos mining industry. Interest has been reported from potential investors from the asbestos-producing countries of Russia and China but the revival of the mines, once owned by the UK asbestos giant Turner & Newall Ltd., is a herculean task which could cost in excess of US$1billion. Controversy and litigation over the government’s seizure of the troubled Shabanie and Gaths asbestos mines from SMM Holdings continue to act as a disincentive for investors. See: US$1billion needed to rescue SMM’s mines.

Controversy over Asbestos Clean-up

Jan 14, 2016

The after-effects of a fire in the Dutch town of Wateringen in January, 2015 continue to plague local people. Concerns center principally on the issue of the asbestos contamination caused by the conflagration. Accusations made in a “confidential report” made public on January 13, 2016 suggest that the municipality was guilty of a serious and dangerous neglect of duty. These allegations are rejected by Mayor Mayor Sjaak van der Tak who says that the townsfolk are suffering from an “asbestos psychosis.” A meeting of local officials is taking place today (Jan. 14, 2016), to consider plans for further asbestos remediation. See: Residents unwittingly exposed to asbestos.

More Delays in Italian Proceedings

Jan 14, 2016

The manslaughter trial of 17 former executives from Italcantieri, an Italian shipbuilding company, was adjourned yesterday (Jan. 13) at the Court of Gorizia after just 10 minutes, due to a shortage of judges; participants were informed that proceedings have been rescheduled for May 2016. The criminal charges being investigated relate to 44 mesothelioma deaths amongst Italcantieri workers. With the expiration of the time bar for bringing these cases looming, there are serious concerns that the victims will ever have their day in court. See: Slitta a maggio l’amianto-3 e incombe la prescrizione [Postponed until May; proscription deadline looming].

Government Betrays Victims, Again!

Jan 13, 2016

On January 12, 2016 the Minister for Disabled People told Parliament of the latest multi-million pound windfall for British insurers when he announced that the insurance levy to fund the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme would be reduced this year (see: Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme Levy 2015/16:Written statement - HCWS460). Reacting to this news, the TUC General Secretary said: “The government should maintain the levy at last year’s level and use any surplus to extend the compensation scheme to all victims of asbestos or for research into treatment.” See: TUC Press Release. Government must maintain mesothelioma levy.

Grassroots Outrage over Asbestos Dump

Jan 13, 2016

A demonstration is being organized by local groups outraged over plans by a private company to build an asbestos landfill site in the Alsace village of Niederbronn-les-Bains. It is believed that the new dump will receive 150,000 tonnes of toxic waste. On January 16, 2016 protesters will assemble in front of the Niederbronn-les-Bains train station and march through the streets, finishing up in front of the town hall where a public rally will take place. Members of the public are being invited to take part in this day of action. See: Manifestation contre l’enfouissement d’Amiante au Sandholz [Demonstration against asbestos landfill in Sandholz].

Protocols for Toxic Waste in São Paulo

Jan 13, 2016

Documentation uploaded today to the website of the São Paulo State Legislature confirmed changes approved last month (December 2015) which mandated that as of December 1, 2016, asbestos-containing goods must be dumped according to approved practices at authorized waste sites only. Transgressions of the new regulations will attract substantial financial penalties. Should guilty parties reoffend, the authorities have the right to revoke business licenses either temporarily or permanently. See: Alteração na lei que proíbe o uso de amianto prevê descarte responsável do material [Change in law that prohibits the use of asbestos also mandates responsible disposal of toxic material].

PM’s House Now Asbestos-Free?

Jan 13, 2016

The Georgian revival-style 1927 mansion which is traditionally the Canberra home of Australia’s Prime Minister has been closed for major renovations for nearly two and a half years. Work required included the replacement of the roof, rewiring, replumbing and the removal of asbestos. The original $3 million budget has escalated to $9m and the sighting of removal vans at the property this week has led journalists to speculate that PM Turnbull may move into the property in time for the new parliamentary session beginning next month (February 2016). See: Malcolm Turnbull prepares to move to The Lodge as removalist vans are spotted outside the residence.

Mesothelioma Research: Call for Funding

Jan 12, 2016

On January 5, 2016, MP Andy McDonald tabled Early day motion 913: Mesothelioma Research which called on the Government to “facilitate the establishment of a long-term sustainable mesothelioma research scheme funded by the insurance [industry]. Commenting yesterday on his support for the motion, MP Mark Durkan said: “We desperately need more investment in research into the causes and potential cures for mesothelioma, better treatments to give sufferers more hope, and more awareness amongst tradespeople of the continuing dangers of contact with asbestos.” See: Asbestos research scheme needed: MP.

Discrimination in Cancer Treatment?

Jan 11, 2016

Mesothelioma sufferer Deanna Trevarthen is now receiving her third round of Government-funded chemotherapy. Under current guidelines, she is allowed three more rounds of chemo before she will have to pay upwards of $200,000 for further life-extending treatments. The charges would be incurred if, as expected, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) declines to cover all the costs of her medical care as her exposure to asbestos was a result of visiting her electrician father’s work sites and not due to her own employment. The current system under which the ACC functions is, her partner claims, unfair and discriminatory. See: Cancer victim urges ACC overhaul.

Asbestos Deaths of Railway Workers

Jan 11, 2016

The trial is proceeding of 10 managers from the Italian railway engineering company of Breda-Ansaldo who are facing manslaughter charges over the asbestos cancer deaths of 12 workers. Today (January. 11), 7 witnesses are due to give evidence regarding the failure to protect workers from the hazardous conditions at the workshops where asbestos was used for decades by pipe fitters, welders and grinders in insulation products such as blankets, pillows and mattresses. Further hearings are scheduled with three in February and three in March. See: Sesto, amianto killer alla Breda-Ansaldo: polveri nocive rilevate già nel 1979 [Sixth, the killer asbestos Ansaldo-Breda: harmful dust detected in 1979].

Normandy’s Deadly Asbestos Legacy

Jan 10, 2016

In derelict asbestos factories, on industrial sites, in public buildings and in people’s houses, the presence of asbestos continues to pose a high risk to people in Normandy say representatives of the Defence Association of Asbestos Victims of Seine-Maritime (Adeva 76), located in one of France’s asbestos hotspots. Workplace exposures at asbestos mills which operated for decades in this area continue to kill workers and family members. A multimillion euro decontamination project of a former asbestos manufacturing site near Le Havre is due to begin shortly. See: En Normandie, l’amiante continue de tuer [In Normandy, asbestos continues to kill].