News:

News text:

On April 22, 2026, the EU’s consumer watchdog system updated an earlier alert for an asbestos-contaminated sand product which had been recalled in Germany (and Luxembourg) and that included 7 packets of different colored sand. The next day (April 23), an EU recall was issued for another toxic children’s product after it had been recalled in the Netherlands. The toy – Magic sand painting – was recalled by the Dutch authorities on April 1, 2026 and contained “asbestos fibres (measured value up to 4.6% by weight). Both products mentioned in the notifications cited below had been made in and exported from China. See: Safety Gate (the EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products): Alert number SR/00738/26 and SR/01226/26.

On April 17, 2026, new guidance was published for England by the Environment Agency (EA) which clarified key aspects relating to “the storing and de-packaging [of] recalled goods that may contain small or trace amounts of asbestos” (see: The regulatory position statement (RPS) applied to asbestos-containing recalled goods listed on the GOV.UK website’s Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls). The relaxation of certain rules by the RPS is limited to 3 months and will be reviewed by the EA by January 31, 2027.
See: Guidance. Storing and de-packaging recalled products containing asbestos: RPS 367.

Since April 8, 2026, services on the Paris Metro have been affected by the discovery of asbestos at two Metro stations on line 3. Preliminary work established that 1,650 m2 of tiles near the train tracks had been held in place by asbestos-containing adhesive. Both the stations were closed so that the tiles could be safely removed. The decontamination and renovation work is scheduled to be completed by May 12. See: Stations fermées sur la ligne 3 du métro à Paris: un chantier sous surveillance pour cause de présence d’amiante [Stations closed on line 3 of the Paris metro: construction site under surveillance due to the presence of asbestos].

A paper by thirteen Chinese researchers which acknowledged “the rising global incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM),” and examined the use of new CT imaging tools to diagnose MPM appeared in the April 2026 issue of the publication of the European Society of Radiology, a monthly peer-reviewed journal focused on clinical research and imaging. The co-authors concluded that ResNet (Residual Network) offered “a reproducible tool for early diagnosis and personalized prognosis prediction based on CT imaging alone.” See: Malignant pleural mesothelioma classification and survival prediction with CT imaging using ResNet.

Welcoming the April 10, 2026 announcement by the Council of Ministers of Mauritius of plans to establish an interministerial committee on asbestos houses, Joanna Bérenger, a Junior Minister in the Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change Ministry, called for a national audit “to establish an accurate inventory of asbestos houses and guide the decisions of the interministerial committee.” See: Comité interministériel sur les maisons en amiante - Joanna Bérenger: «Sans données actualisées, aucune politique ne pourra être efficace» [Interministerial Committee on Asbestos Houses - Joanna Bérenger: “Without up-to-date data, no policy can be effective”].

It is little wonder that in the run-up to the UK local elections in May, Green Party candidate for Spotland and Falinge Mick Coats made the presence of a 75-acre toxic derelict industrial site – nicknamed Rochdale's Chernobyl – a campaign issue. Coats is part of a coalition which had raised the alert over asbestos contamination at the former site of Turner Brothers Asbestos for years. The Greens are concerned that new site owners, and there have been many over the years, might attempt to use the unremediated land for the construction of a residential development. See: It’s time to turn this no-go zone into a country park.

On April 17, 2026, it was reported by the Swiss media that a product which had been sold in Switzerland as well as in Germany had been recalled by the German manufacturer/supplier: moses. Verlag GmbH. The company announced that traces of asbestos had been found in some of the magic sand products during investigations it had commissioned. According to Swiss federal authorities, the decision was made following consultation with the relevant cantonal authorities. Consumers were urged stop using the products and return them to the point of sale. See: Magic sand recalled owing to asbestos risk.

Earlier this month, the Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) continued to forestall full implementation of a 2017 STF ruling banning the mining, processing, use and export of asbestos. During a virtual plenary hearing which began on April 10, 2026, STF Justice Luís Fux asked for yet another review in a case regarding the unconstitutionality of a Goiás State exemption contravening the STF ruling. As a result of this state action, the production of chrysotile (white) asbestos – for export purposes only – continued at the Cana Brava mine in Minaçu, Goiás. This facility is operated by S.A. Minerações Associadas (SAMA), a subsidiary of Eternit S.A. See: ADI 6200 Processo Eletrônico Público Medida Liminar [ADI 6200 Electronic Public Process Preliminary Injunction].

While Kenya was investing heavily “in the fight against cancer” – a disease claiming the lives of many citizens every year – healthcare workers were routinely exposed to asbestos, a known carcinogen, in contaminated public hospitals. This discrepancy was recently highlighted by members of the Senate Committee on Health – Senators Jackson Mandago, Richard Momoima Onyonka and Vincent Chemitei – who raised the alarm over asbestos roofing of hospitals. See: Senate raises concern over dangerous materials in hospitals.

Following victims’ verdicts by the first Civil Court of Rome and the Lazio Regional Administrative Court – which awarded substantial compensation against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the 2015 mesothelioma death of a naval helmsman – Italy’s Supreme Court (Court of Cassation) this month ordered the commencement of proceedings at the Brescia Court of Appeal on behalf of another one of the deceased’s daughters. See: Amianto nella Marina: il Ministero della Difesa condannato due volte per la morte di un militare [Asbestos in the Navy: the Ministry of Defense convicted twice for the death of a soldier].

On April 17, 2026, a well-known French toy company (Jacques Ferry) recalled from the market eleven monster figurine toys sold from June 1, 2024 until March 10, 2026 under the Elastikorps brand name. According to the recall notice: “The product contains asbestos and may pose a health risk if damaged and the filling leaks.” Consumers were advised to stop using the toys and return them to the point of sale. The toxic toys had been sold nationwide by distributors including: Auchan, Carrefour, Intermarché, Leclerc, Netto, Spar, Supeco, Super U, and Vival. See: Jacques Ferry rappelle Elastikorps [Jacques Ferry recalls Elastikorps].

After consultation with industry stakeholders, WorkSafe New Zealand revised its asbestos-related guidance, with its latest updates published on April 16, 2026. Changes made in the Good Practice Guidelines reflected the evolution in accepted best practices; the correction of previous errors or omissions; and the clarification of common misconceptions. Topics covered included new guidance on: sampling protocols, oversight requirements, exposure levels and various aspects of monitoring and contamination. The new regulatory regime was welcomed by industry stakeholders with one saying it was “a positive and pragmatic step… [that] ultimately contributes to protecting New Zealanders from exposure to asbestos and the harm it causes.” See: We have updated our asbestos guidance.

In an announcement on April 13, 2026 by Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, it was confirmed that tests by German and other national authorities had found asbestos contamination of play sand products. As a result of these findings, companies had recalled suspect products from the market. Most of the affected items were “small quantities of play and craft sand (colored, “magic,” malleable/kinetic), from both online and brick-and-mortar stores.” Also recalled were stretchable toys/figurines filled with sand and excavation kits. Measurements needed to conduct a risk assessment posed by use of the contaminated play sand were lacking. See: Asbest in Spielsand: Weitere Daten für Risikobewertung erforderlich [Asbestos in play sand: Further data needed for risk assessment].

Following multiple recalls of imported children’s playsets and toys contaminated with asbestos, it was reported on April 17, 2026 that another voluntary recall for affected products had been issued after tests by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment established that one sample contained traces of asbestos. The recall of Uniti sand art products was made by The Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery, part of New Zealand’s largest general low-price clothing, home goods, toys, and groceries retailer. Between January 2025 and September 2025, 4,678 units had been sold. See: Uniti Sand Art Unicorn, Monkey, Octopus and Dinosaur - Sold at The Warehouse.

Earlier this month, Oman’s Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) warned consumers that certain children’s toys which had been sold did “not meet the approved safety standards,” due to asbestos contamination. The affected item – model (B-318-19149) – was sold under the Audo brand name and contained colored sand. The CPA reassured consumers that local markets and e-commerce platforms would continue to be monitored “to ensure that traded products comply with the approved requirements and standards.” See: CPA warns against unhealthy levels of asbestos in this children's play sand.

In the aftermath of news released by the Canadian Association of Justice Lawyers that “that exposure to asbestos at the Guy-Favreau complex in Montreal was linked to a serious health problem suffered by an employee of the Department of Justice who had worked at the complex,” trade unionists representing 2,500 federal public servants demanded access to “the full test reports regarding the possible presence of asbestos in the building.” Montreal is in the province of Quebec which was, for many decades, the center of the Canadian asbestos mining industry. See: Public servants concerned about possible asbestos at Montreal’s Guy-Favreau Complex.

In an open letter to UK Minister Kate Dearden which was uploaded today (May 1), representatives of UK asbestos victim support groups, campaigning organizations and asbestos cancer charities expressed concern about government delays in addressing the health hazard posed by the import of sand, playsets and stretchy toys contaminated with asbestos. News of a recent EU trade mission to China to discuss the need to remove “dangerous toys from the market before they reach children…” was reported. “In 2026, there is,” the letter concluded “no excuse for the sale of carcinogenic children’s toys in the UK.” [Read full article]

On April 15, 2026, the Asbestos Sub-Group of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health held a two-hour event entitled Asbestos: Protecting Tomorrow’s Victims, Protecting Today’s Patients in the House of Commons. Each of the presentations constituted a vital part in creating a panorama of ongoing national asbestos challenges. From the lived experiences of a mesothelioma sufferer, to the legal torture of securing compensation, to the battle for timely and state-of-the-art medical care, to the solutions for eradicating the asbestos hazard, each subject was succinctly, straightforwardly and sympathetically explained. [Read full article]

The fallout from the import of asbestos-contaminated toys from China continues, with a huge range of responses from national regulators. While some acted promptly to protect children, others remained in denial about the hazard. Oversight protocols introduced prior to the explosion of e-commerce trade via online marketplaces were blamed for the loopholes through which dangerous items were allowed to enter retail product streams. Earlier this month, an EU delegation to China discussed what needs to be done “to ensure companies are held accountable when rules are not followed.” [Read full article]

On April 2, 2026 a news release was featured on the website of the Building and Wood Workers’ International which expressed the serious concerns of dozens of civil society groups about foreign intervention in the democratic process to derail well-established plans to end asbestos import and use in Malaysia. The global mouthpiece representing asbestos vested interests – the International Chrysotile Association (ICA) – was accused of “once again attempting to hijack our national policy” and subvert work to implement national prohibitions. “Banning asbestos is,” the text said “fundamentally a matter of national interest… Our fate and our health must be decided by Malaysians, for Malaysians. Leave no room for the asbestos industry to dictate our future.” [Read full article]

On April 2, 2026, 300 delegates convened in Cambodia’s capital for a government-sponsored consultation to examine the country’s strategy for implementing asbestos prohibitions. Central to the discussions was a 60-page publication launched at the meeting: the Economic Impact Assessment Related to the Use of Asbestos (EIA). To this end, one of the EIA’s authors was in attendance to answer questions. The Executive Summary of the EIA was uncompromising in its findings: “The economic assessment of a proposed ban on asbestos containing materials and raw asbestos fibres was found to be economically viable, with the health benefits from avoided disease far outweighing the cost of implementation and transition by a ratio of 4:1, even under conservative assumptions.” [Read full article]

A timely and informative article by Merlin Chowkwanyun, PhD, MPH from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York City has been reproduced on this website with the author’s blessing. The text reported a rare retraction by The Lancet, “one of the oldest and most prestigious academic journals,” of an unsigned 1997 commentary that discounted the hazard posed by the use of personal hygiene products contaminated with asbestos. The disavowal of the commentary resulted from a discovery made by American researchers – Gerald Markowitz and David Rosner – who were able to provide evidence showing that the contentious text had been written by a consultant paid by Johnson & Johnson, who had shared the draft with company officials and made changes based on their comments. [Read full article]

On January 23 2026, the Canadian government uploaded a 64-page document entitled: Draft Guidance on Asbestos in Drinking Water at the start of a 60-day public consultation process. Interested stakeholders were invited to submit comments before March 24, 2026. The joint submission by Prevent Cancer Now, Canadian Environmental Law Association and Friends of the Earth Canada is informative not only about the current situation in Canada but also has implications for people in many other jurisdictions who are dealing with the adverse fallout from the continuing use of deteriorating asbestos-cement water pipes. We are very grateful for the permission received to upload this document. [Read full article]

For the first time since 1950, annual global asbestos production fell to less than a million tonnes in 2024. This was not a blip, as the low level of production was repeated the following year. Dwindling global output generates less money for propaganda campaigns, international love-ins and aggressive political lobbying by asbestos stakeholders. Industry-funded bodies, such as the International Chrysotile Association, are hanging on by their fingertips; many of these industry fronts have been dissolved or disappeared. The simple chart featured in this article is an accurate and useful depiction of the truth denied by vested interests: the asbestos industry is terminal. The sooner the plug is pulled, the better. [Read full article]

Like pretty much every other country, Britain has a lethal asbestos legacy which continues to endanger the lives of its citizens. Our public buildings, water delivery systems and homes were not only built with asbestos but also currently contain articles contaminated by it such as imported children’s toys, hygiene products and make-up sets. Whilst some of the consequences of toxic exposures have been quantified, others remain unrecognized and unacknowledged. The hazard posed by children playing with craft and play-sand sets and stretchy rubber figures that contain chrysotile and/or tremolite asbestos fibers is extremely concerning. [Read full article]

Late last year, news began circulating about asbestos contamination of imported children’s playsets in Australia and New Zealand. Every day seemed to bring news of more discoveries and school closures. As concurrent recalls were issued by Canberra and Wellington, in Britain and elsewhere the sale of the toxic products continued. By February, a few European governments were acknowledging the hazard and one or two were actually taking action. No coverage of this scandal has been seen in media reports from North or Latin America or Asia, with the exception of Japan. Of course, we don’t know if these contaminated play sand sets and figurines were exported there but given the carcinogenicity of asbestos and the fact that these products are used by children wouldn’t it be better to be sure? [Read full article]

The repercussions of discoveries made in Australia and New Zealand in November 2025, have been reverberating around the globe ever since. Whilst the speed with which countries engaged with the scientific findings varied, there was no denying the public concern over asbestos contamination of craft and kinetic sand products and other toys. A commentary by Asbestos Consultant & Occupational Hygienist Benjamin Alford from Auckland, New Zealand provided clear-cut explanations and graphic images to demystify the key issues involved. Concluding his text, Aflord noted: “The long-term win isn’t more headlines; it’s better upstream control, better method selection, and fewer families learning what ‘tremolite’ means from a recall notice.” [Read full article]

The well-known phrase in the article title is attributed to the 19th century British statesman William Gladstone. These words have been ringing in my ears since February 11, 2026 when I heard the latest news in the long-running battle for justice by Italian asbestos victims. Although the Swiss asbestos billionaire Stephan Schmidheiny was found guilty for the asbestos deaths of hundreds of Italians by lower and appeal courts, in 2014 & 2025 the Supreme Court quashed the convictions on technical grounds. This month, a 2025 guilty verdict was sent back to Turin with an order to have the 600+ page judgment translated into German, the defendant’s mother tongue. According to campaigner Nicola Pondrano, who is still reeling from this decision: “The sense of injustice and the bitterness felt by the whole community is immense.” [Read full article]

The existence of abandoned mining towns is a reality in many parts of the world where hordes of adventurers had once sought riches from wealth-giving gold, silver and other minerals. Two such communities, built on asbestos hopes and fueled by asbestos profits, were Cassiar, Canada and Wittenoom, Australia. Once the seams of asbestos no longer proved viable, the towns built around them were redundant. Comparing the histories of Cassiar and Wittenoom revealed both similarities and differences in the lived experiences of workers and their families as well as the deadly consequences of the time spent in the toxic towns. [Read full article]

In December 2025, Dr Helen Clayson had the opportunity to visit the Archives and Special Collections department in the Andersonian Library, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow to peruse some of the material in its asbestos archives. With the help of assistant archivist Rachael Jones, Dr Clayson examined historical documents, industry reports and revealing photographs. This material, she reported, helps “us to understand how a major public health issue took so long to come to attention and for victims to be recognised, supported and financially compensated.” [Read full article]

The Saturday, January 24, 2026 issue of The Guardian newspaper ran a story entitled Asbestos found in children’s play sand sold in UK, which confirmed that asbestos-contaminated colored sand had been sold in the UK by the nationwide chain Hobbycraft. The company withdrew the product from its shelves but did not recall it, saying that there had been no government warning. A Westminster spokesperson criticized Hobbycraft’s half measures, saying “there’s no good reason why Hobbycraft shouldn’t recall this themselves, given the evidence;” whilst the Department for Business and Trade resorted to its standard rhetoric defending the country’s “robust product safety laws” and “strict criteria.” You couldn’t make it up! [Read full article]

An exposé screened by Italy’s public broadcaster RAI on Sunday January 4, 2026 refocused national attention on a scandal which had been festering for decades: the failure of the Italian authorities to hold to account people responsible for a national epidemic of avoidable ill-health and premature deaths. While there is no proof that the offers made by international powerbrokers revealed on the program were either realized or responsible for the Supreme Court’s contentious decision in 2014 to overturn Stephan Schmidheiny’s convictions over asbestos deaths caused by his Italian operations, the public most definitely has a right to know why the Court took that action. With another Supreme Court asbestos decision on the horizon, clarity from the Court is a matter of some urgency. [Read full article]

Latest Articles:    click titles twice for full article

Topics:

Demonstration in Woluwe Park, Brussels, 2006

Under cloudy skies, members of Belgian and French Asbestos Victims' Associations from Dunkirk and Bourgogne marched side-by-side in the third annual demonstration organized by ABEVA, the Belgian Association of Asbestos Victims. Erik Jonckheere, ABEVA's Co-chairman, condemned the government which still refuses to recognize the plight of the asbestos injured.

From Article: