News Archive

Christchurch parents Elle Chrisp and David Dingwall are taking retailer Kmart to New Zealand’s Disputes Tribunal to reclaim costs incurred in dealing with the aftermath of their purchases of asbestos-contaminated children’s products. The sums involved are considerable, as the asbestos decontamination work on their homes ran into “tens of thousands” of dollars. They also submitted complaints to the regulators – the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, Worksafe, Customs and the Commerce Commission. See: Parents take Kmart to Disputes Tribunal over play sand containing asbestos.

Toxic Toys: Update

May 11, 2026

Three months after an article in The Guardian newspaper set off a tidal wave of media coverage of an unfolding national asbestos scandal, another article was published by the same journalist. From the April 27th report by Anna Tims, it seems that the UK Government’s policy on the sale of asbestos-contaminated children’s products had undergone a remarkable shift from complacency to anger, with Kate Dearden, the minister for product safety, saying: “It is staggering toys are being sold with asbestos. We’re taking action with new measures to strengthen consumer protection and clamp down on irresponsible sellers... any products which test positive for asbestos are removed from sale and recalled.” See: Dozens of toys recalled in the UK after asbestos found in play sand.

Asbestos Prosecution

May 11, 2026

Work at a building in Badhoevedorp, a town in the Western Netherlands, was stopped at the end of March, 2026 by the Dutch Labour Inspectorate as a result of complaints about working conditions and a report by the FNV – the Netherlands Trade Union Confederation. Inspectors found that asbestos had been illegally removed and that workers had not been provided with protective clothing or respiratory protection equipment. As the dutyholder, the owner of the building was responsible for ensuring compliance with all health and safety regulations. The owner was named as the offending party in the case and a penalty report is expected. See: Illegale asbestsanering in Badhoevedorp [Illegal asbestos removal in Badhoevedorp].

Scotland’s Asbestos Tragedy

May 11, 2026

Amongst the 500+ names on the Asbestos Memorial Wall in Clydebank, Scotland is that of Christine Jardine’s Mother: Agnes (Nessie). In a recent commentary in The Scotsman newspaper Jardine, the MP for Edinburgh West, cited official data about the UK’s asbestos death toll and remembered going to the victims’ support group, Clydeside Action on Asbestos (CAA), with her Mum, who had been exposed to asbestos during her time working in the office of John Brown shipyard. “As we walked in (to CAA), she was greeted by the man who had been the yard’s shop steward. They had shared their working lives and now the condition which would take their lives.” See: Why Clydebank has one of the world’s worst records for asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos Prosecution in Oregon

May 11, 2026

A fine of $22,460 for asbestos infringements by the U.S. Postal Service at its Kenton Station facility in Portland, Oregon was upheld on March 16, 2026 and made public on April 20. The prosecution was brought by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for four violations related to asbestos training, housekeeping and hazard communication requirements at the facility. A sample of material taken near the women’s restroom contained 13% chrysotile (white) asbestos. See: Postal service loses OSHA appeal over asbestos hazards at Oregon facility.

Asbestos Data: Update

May 11, 2026

According to new data provided to mark International Workers Memorial Day, there are 10,000 new cases of asbestos-related disease diagnosed in Italy every year and 7,000 deaths. Despite a national asbestos ban which was implemented in 1992, asbestos-containing material remains prevalent in both the built and natural environment. Regional asbestos hotspots are Lombardy (2.000 deaths/year). Piedmont (~1,000), Emilia-Romagna (~650), Liguria (600+) and Lazio (~500). See: L’amianto miete ancora 7000 vittime ogni anno, emergenza senza fine in Italia: queste sono le Regioni più esposte alla fibra killer [Asbestos still claims 7,000 victims each year, a never-ending emergency in Italy: these are the regions most exposed to the killer fiber].

Environmental Contamination

May 6, 2026

According to a survey by Greenpeace Austria, remediation work was carried out at almost all the sites previously identified as being contaminated with asbestos in Lower Austria (northeastern Austria), but hardly any work had been undertaken at toxic sites in Burgenland and Styria, in southeastern Austria. Greenpeace is calling on the state governments of Burgenland and Styria to introduce phased asbestos eradication programs prioritizing work at especially sensitive locations. See: Greenpeace überprüft Asbest-Fundorte: Niederösterreich handelt, Burgenland und Steiermark nicht [Greenpeace checks asbestos sites: Lower Austria takes action, Burgenland and Styria do not].

Asbestos Scandal in Vas County

May 6, 2026

Public and political outrage is growing over the use of 100,000 tons of asbestos-contaminated gravel in road construction work in Szombathely, western Hungary. According to the local Mayor Nemény András large quantities of the contaminated material came from Austrian quarries without any notification. Due to the cost and disruption of removing the toxic material, the City is considering proposals to seal the contaminated surfaces using a protective covering and additional road surfacing. See: Hungarian city faces health risk after asbestos-linked gravel traced to Austrian quarries.

Another Asbestos Recall!

May 6, 2026

On April 24, 2026, another UK recall was issued for a playset sold under the Galt brand name; the James Galt company markets high-end educational toys worldwide. The toxic product was a nature craft kit. According to the recall, the product presented “a risk to health as the sand may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.” It was made in China and was sold by UK retailers including John Lewis, Hobbycraft, Toy Master and Garden Centres between 2024 and April 2026. See: Product Recall: for Galt Nature Craft Kit presenting a risk to health.

Progress in Almere!

May 6, 2026

In the Dutch municipality of Almere, steps are being taken to encourage citizens to eradicate the asbestos hazard by removing toxic roofing. The city embraced a multi-faceted “neighborhood-oriented approach” and offered subsidies and free removal services for remediation work to local people. A March 2026 evaluation of the project showed that 90% of the homeowners with asbestos roofs and 99% of the owners of sheds and carports contacted opted to have their asbestos roofs removed. A total of ~500 asbestos roofs were remediated and replaced in Almere over two years. See: Gemeenteraadslid David de Vreede: ‘Asbestdaken aanpakken? Je bent gek als je het niet doet’ [City Councillor David de Vreede: ‘Tackling asbestos roofs? You'd be crazy not to’].

Sad News!

May 6, 2026

The death on April 20, 2026 of Tony Worthington, a former MP for Clydebank and Milngavie, was reported to Parliament on April 23 by Douglas McAllister, the MP for West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. In his tribute McAllister said: “Over 18 years in this House, he championed many causes, not least the campaign to secure compensation for victims of asbestos-related illness and their families after the collapse of Chester Street Insurance Holdings. He was victorious in that fight.” Many of us who worked with him on that campaign remember his leadership qualities, good nature and charming company. He will be sadly missed. See: Hansard. April 23, 2026. Tribute paid by Scottish MP Douglas McAllister (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab) to former Clydebank MP Tony Worthington.

Mesothelioma Research: New Data

May 6, 2026

A recent peer-reviewed paper which appeared in the BMC Pulmonary Medicine Journal considered three cases of pleural mesothelioma diagnosed in Lebanon. What I found of particular interest in the text was a reference to Eternit, a global asbestos conglomerate that caused death and destruction the world over. On page three it was reported that 22 cases of pleural mesothelioma “were diagnosed at Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital between 1991 and 2000, with clear evidence of asbestos exposure from the Eternit factory located in Chekka – North Lebanon.” See: Diagnosis and management of pleural mesothelioma: three unique cases and review of the literature.

Public Enquiry: AC Pipes

May 5, 2026

On April 23, 2026, officials in the Canadian city of Regina announced an official enquiry into the fast-tracking of asbestos-cement (AC) pipes in the public water delivery system; the results of the investigation are expected by the end of the year. It is believed that Regina has between 531km and 600km of AC pipes. According to campaigner Julian Branch “The asbestos is getting into the water, that poses a concern because the research will show that ingested asbestos passes through the gastrointestinal tract…” See: Regina will explore fast-tracking removal of asbestos-cement water pipes.

Magic Sand Recall

May 5, 2026

After “magic sand” products were recalled in Switzerland due to the discovery of asbestos contamination, the same products were voluntarily recalled by the retailer – moses. Verlag GmbH, a German publishing company. Tests undertaken in Germany confirmed that “a very small amount [of asbestos] could now be detected in a certain batch.” Consumers were advised not to use the products and return them to a recycling center or the retailer where they were purchased. See: Asbest in „magischem Sand“ für Kinder entdeckt [Asbestos discovered in “magic sand” for children].

Another Asbestos Recall!

May 5, 2026

On April 24. 2026, the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) issued a public warning after asbestos was found inside a Pufferz Puffer sand toy. The toys were recalled from sale with immediate effect pursuant to an order of the MCCAA’s Technical Regulations Division. Consumers were urged to stop using the contaminated items and return them to retailers for a full refund. Market surveillance by the MCCAA will continue to ensure the safety of products being sold in Malta. See: Consumer Authority recalls sand toy due to asbestos contamination.

Victory in Tuscany!

May 5, 2026

A landmark was achieved last month by Maurizio Nerini, a former electrician of the State Railways, who obtained the highest compensation ever awarded for an asbestos-related disease in the Italian city of Pistoia. In 2017, the claimant joined the asbestos disease prevention program of the Tuscany Region: ANMIL Pistoia. After his mesothelioma diagnosis, ANMIL supported Nerini’s compensation claim and secured a historic verdict, which was believed to be worth several hundred thousand euros. See: Ammalato per l’amianto. Maxi risarcimento per un ex ferroviere [Sick from asbestos. Huge compensation for a former railway worker].

Government Asbestos Discovery!

May 5, 2026

It was reported on April 22, 2026, that tests conducted by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare revealed asbestos contamination of two of the four available colors of sand (pink and blue) in a small sealed glass bottle with the word Okinawa written on it. According to the distributor: First Arrow Co., Ltd., sales of Happy Star Sand Bottles were discontinued. See: 【イオンほか】沖縄みやげ「幸せの星砂ボトル」からアスベスト検出。「開封しないで」販売元が呼びかけ [[AEON and others] Asbestos detected in Okinawa souvenir “Happy Star Sand Bottle.” Manufacturer urges customers “Do not open”].

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis vs Asbestosis

May 5, 2026

The online resource cited below provided useful information for someone in the UK diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. The type of pulmonary fibrosis is crucial not just for the medical care the patient receives but also his/her right to claim government benefits and/or compensation. Whilst patients diagnosed with asbestosis may be eligible for weekly benefits and/or lump-sum payouts, those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are not. Unless applications for government assistance are submitted promptly, claimants may miss “out on essential financial support they could otherwise have received.” See: The impact of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis versus asbestosis on access to asbestos-related government benefits.

More Asbestos Recalls!

May 1, 2026

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.

Environment Agency Advice on Recalls

May 1, 2026

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.

Asbestos in the Metro

May 1, 2026

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].

Mesothelioma Research: Update

May 1, 2026

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.

Quantifying the Hazard!

May 1, 2026

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”].

Rochdale's Chernobyl

May 1, 2026

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.

First Asbestos Recall?

Apr 29, 2026

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.