Looking Back on 2024
Against the backdrop of a continuing decrease in global asbestos consumption, work to quantify and address toxic industrial legacies was continued this year by grassroots campaigners, civil society stakeholders, national officials, regional and international authorities. Amongst high-profile topics debated in multiple jurisdictions were the asbestos contamination of schools, water delivery systems and the built environment; the health risks posed by asbestos contained in personal hygiene products and cosmetics; and the unregulated and unsafe dumping of asbestos waste. In some places, tighter restrictions were placed on asbestos use while in others such as the United States and the Pacific Republic of Nauru the use of asbestos was prohibited.
Throughout the year, asbestos initiatives were implemented in Brazil, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia to train support staff and volunteers, implement health check-ups and mobilize support for municipal and national action on the asbestos hazard.
 |
In consultation with colleagues, it was decided to mark the 25th anniversary of IBAS, which took place in November, by making substantial donations to pioneering grassroots doctors working on the asbestos frontlines in Asia and Latin America. This money is currently being used to facilitate medical examinations and clinical tests for at-risk individuals and establish and administer an asbestos registry to ensure timely follow-ups of the growing number of people being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases.
High points of the year included:
- a unanimous decision by the European Court of Human Rights condemning the Swiss Government’s failure to “ensure expeditious proceedings before the Federal Court” in an asbestos case; 1
- the unfolding of a huge scandal which started in Sydney, Australia and spread throughout the country regarding the use of asbestos-containing mulch in gardens and public spaces;2
 Banner for ABAN meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Photo courtesy of ABAN. |
- the holding in March, 2024 of the Asian Ban Asbestos Network (ABAN) South Asia Strategy meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka;3
- action by the Environmental Protection Agency which banned asbestos use in the US;4
- a historic ruling by the Indonesian Supreme Court mandating that all asbestos-containing roofing products must have warning labels in Bahasa, the local language;5
- approval by the Government of Catalonia, Spain of draft legislation to address the long-tail asbestos legacy throughout the region by delineating and implementing a National Plan for the Eradication of Asbestos; 6
- the loss of key asbestos markets by Russian exporters to Brazil and Kazakhstan competitors;7
- a decision by Italy’s Supreme Court which reinstated an asbestos lawsuit against executives from the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo;8
- the ecological restoration and incorporation of derelict asbestos mining sites into the Giant Panda National Park in the Ya’an Area of China’s Sichuan Province;9
- new data from India – the world’s largest asbestos-consuming country – substantiating long-term plans by producers to transition to asbestos-free technologies;10
- plans announced by Russia’s Ministry of Health to recognize occupational cancers, including those caused by exposures to asbestos, as industrial diseases;11
- submission of an urgent ban asbestos petition by the Consumers’ Association of Penang to the Malaysian Government;12
- the disappearance of Johnson & Johnson talc-based baby powder from shelves in the UK (still available online) and other overseas markets;13
- the implementation of a groundbreaking medical outreach project for asbestos victims in northeastern Brazil;14
- the Asbestos Alternatives Workshop in Tajikistan held by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and partnering organizations, at the end of which participants called for a phase-out of asbestos use; 15
- calls by politicians, medical and scientific experts for a national asbestos ban in Mexico;16
- the banning of asbestos imports (Oct. 10) and use (Oct. 30) by the Republic of Nauru;
- acknowledging the occupational and public health hazard posed by the use of asbestos, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) outlawed all use of asbestos in ADB-funded projects;17
 ABAN Southeast Asia Conference in Malaysia, November 2024. Photo Courtesy of ABAN. |
- during the November 2024 ABAN Southeast Asia Conference in Malaysia, a call was made by delegates for an immediate and comprehensive ban on asbestos in Malaysia;18
- following the release of new asbestos disease data by the Japanese Government in December, asbestos hotlines were operated by victims’ groups and civil society campaigners in Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya and Fukuoka on December 12-13.
 Tokyo asbestos phone hotline. December 12, 2024. Photo courtesy of ABAN. |
Throughout 2024, the global ban asbestos community was rocked by the deaths of veteran activists: Takao Migita (Japan), 19 Robert Vojakovic (Australia),20 Romana Blasotti Pavesi (Italy),21 and Eric Jonckheere (Belgium) who had spent decades fighting for the rights of fellow citizens to live asbestos-free lives.
 Eric Jonckheere, President of the Belgian Asbestos Victims Association ABEVA), died on December 13, 2024 from mesothelioma. |
Technological developments and the building of infrastructure by Kazakhstan and China during the year made manifest the intention of national stakeholders to continue profiting from asbestos sales despite the known health hazards.22 In the Autumn, news was disseminated that following a landmark ruling by the Indonesian Supreme Court mandating warning labels on asbestos roofing products, huge financial penalties were being sought by the country’s asbestos trade association from individual ban asbestos campaigners and NGOs.23 It is clear that despite our many successes, much work remains to be done.
IBAS would like to take this opportunity to wish all our colleagues, supporters and friends a safe, healthy and happy holiday season. We are grateful for your continued commitment to the global struggle for asbestos justice and the eradication of the asbestos hazard. We look forward to working with you in 2025!
December 18, 2024
_______
1 Switzerland Guilty of Asbestos Injustices. March 4, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-switzerland-guilty-of-asbestos-injustices.php
2 Australian Scandal Grows amidst Global Confirmation of Asbestos Hazard. February 21, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-australian-scandal-grows-amdist-confirmation-of-asbestos-hazard.php
3 Asian Ban Asbestos Network: 2024 Update. March 12, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-asian-ban-asbestos-network-2024-update.php
4 United States Bans Asbestos – Again! April 16, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-united-states-bans-asbestos-again.php
5 Sudrajat, A. & Kazan-Allen, L. Victory in Indonesia! May 1, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/as-lka-victory-in-indonesia.php
6 Making Progress in Catalonia. May 10, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-making-progress-in-catalonia.php
7 Russians Losing Key Asbestos Market. June 5, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-russians-losing-key-asbestos-market.php
8 Italy’s Supreme Court Annuls Acquittal of Asbestos Defendants. June 17, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-italy-s-supreme-court-annuls-acquittal-of-asbestos-defendants.php
9 Turning Swords into Ploughshares. May 8, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-blogzxa220.php
10 India Transitioning to Asbestos-Free Technology. July 5, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-blogzxa223.php
11 Russian Ministry Planning Action on Asbestos Hazard. June 18, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-russian-ministry-planning-action-on-asbestos-hazard.php
12 July 2024 Snapshot of Global Asbestos Panorama. July 26, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-july-2024-snapshot-of-global-asbestos-panorama.php
13 UK J&J Summer 2024 Audit. August 29, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-blogzxa225.php
14 September Miracle in Northeastern Brazil! September 16, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-september-miracle-in-northeastern-brazil.php
15 Asbestos Alternatives Workshop in Tajikistan – September 2024. October, 2024.
https://avgroup.pro/news/asbestos-alternatives-workshop-in-tajikistan
16 Mexican Chamber of Deputies. Piden en foro de análisis sobre la Ley General de Erradicación del Asbesto que se apruebe una reforma legislativa en la materia [In an analysis forum on the General Law for the Eradication of Asbestos, approval is sought for a legislative reform on the matter]. October 24. 2024.
https://comunicacionsocial.diputados.gob.mx/index.php/notilegis/piden-en-foro-de-analisis-sobre-la-ley-general-de-erradicacion-del-asbesto-que-se-apruebe-una-reforma-legislativa-en-la-materia-
17 ADB. Asian Development Bank Environmental and Social Framework Policy Paper. October 2024.https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutional-document/1008571/esf-policy-paper.pdf
18 Press Release. Call for urgent action to ban asbestos in Malaysia. November 20, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/abansea-2024-conf-press-release-nov-20-2024.pdf
19 Remembering Takao Migita and Eiji Kurita. August 1, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-blogzxa224.php
20 A Stranger to Their Shores: Robert Vojakovic 1940-2024. July 1, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-a-stranger-to-their-shores-robert-vojakovic-1940-2024.php
21 Remembering Romana Blasotti Pavesi 1929-2024. September 22, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-remembering-romana-lasotti-pavesi-1929-2024.php
22 Sacrificing Even More Lives for Asbestos Profits. July 18, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-sacrificing-even-more-lives-for-asbestos-profits.php
23Industry Attacks Consumers Historic Win Against Chrysotile Asbestos. October 14, 2024.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-industry-attacks-consumers-historic-win-against-chrysotile-asbestos.php
