News Archive

Last week, the Spanish government approved a royal decree under which thousands of asbestos-injured people will be able to obtain compensation via a nationwide scheme that will come into operation within three months. Depending on their injuries the claimants, or their beneficiaries, will be entitled to payments of between €32,000 and €96,000 (US$37,000 and $111,000). Applicants must submit a certificate of diagnosis issued by the health authorities, as well as their completed claim form to the Treasury of the National Social Security Institute. If no reply is forthcoming within 6 months, the claim is rejected. See: Thousands of asbestos victims to receive compensation ranging from 32,000 to 96,000 euros.

Win at Washington Supreme Court!

Jun 23, 2025

In a verdict handed down by the Washington State Supreme Court on May 29, 2025, the Court overturned its own precedent and denied immunity to Alcoa Inc., the former employer of mesothelioma sufferer Jeffrey Cockrum. The plaintiff had been occupationally exposed to asbestos during his 30-year employment at Alcoa’s Wenatchee Works aluminium facility; he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2022. Commenting on the judicial development, one observer noted that: “This ruling will likely result in a dramatic increase in liability for employers in Washington State whose employees may have been exposed to asbestos.” See: Washington Strips Employers of Workers’ Compensation Immunity for Asbestos Claims.

Parliamentary Asbestos Debate

Jun 23, 2025

On the afternoon of June 18, 2025, MPs considered the subject of the “Removal of Asbestos from Non-Domestic Buildings” during a Westminster Hall Debate, which had been secured by Emma Lewell MP, representing the constituency of South Shields. During the debate, 3 Labor MPs and 1 Democratic Unionist Party MP called on the government to take timely and decisive action on the asbestos hazard. Concluding the debate, the Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education Sir Stephen Timms said the speakers were: “absolutely right to make the case for the goal of an asbestos-free Great Britain and a plan for asbestos to be removed across the country.” See: Asbestos Removal: Non-domestic Buildings.

Asbestos Exposure in the Navy

Jun 23, 2025

Confirming the link between asbestos exposures and mesothelioma, last week Italy’s Supreme Court (the Court of Cassation) ordered the Ministry of Defense (MoD) to pay compensation of €670,000 (US$770,500) to the family of a naval carpenter and dry dock worker who died in 2013. The deceased had been employed for 38 years by the MoD which had, the Judges ruled, failed to adopt precautions and strategies to protect him from toxic exposures. See: Ucciso dal mesotelioma, muore operaio dell’Arsenale. Arriva il maxi risarcimento [Killed by mesothelioma, Arsenal worker dies. Huge compensation [finally] arrives].

Asbestos Removal in Schools

Jun 23, 2025

By September 2025, New Zealand’s Ministry of Education should have a new accreditation scheme in place to systemize the control of asbestos remediation work at schools. High-profile examples of shoddy work by operators highlighted the need for the introduction of the new accredited supplier list of consultants, licensed removalists and accredited laboratories for follow-up testing. Commenting on the new rules, School Property Chief Executive Jerome Sheppard said: “we will expect all workers, whether directly employed or contracted through labour hire firms, to hold the appropriate qualifications, training and experience to undertake asbestos-related work safely and compliantly.” See: Education Ministry clamp down on asbestos exposure in schools.

Trump Threat to Asbestos Ban

Jun 23, 2025

According to a court filing on June 16, 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency is reconsidering a ban on the use of asbestos introduced last year (2024) by the Biden administration. This prohibition was years in the making and a result of decades of lobbying by victims’ groups, trade unions and health and safety campaigners who denounced the huge death toll caused by asbestos-related diseases and cancers in the US. Asbestos liberated as a result of natural disasters in the US – the Maui (2023) and Southern California wildfires (2025) – pose a serious threat to the health of first responders, firefighters and members of the public. See: Cancer-causing asbestos has been regulated for decades and removed from buildings. Trump could allow one form to return.

Eternit Charged with Manslaughter

Jun 18, 2025

On June 17, 2025, the Dutch Prosecutor’s office announced that charges of manslaughter and negligent homicide had been brought against Eternit, formerly one of the world’s largest asbestos conglomerates, for the deaths of two employees from the company’s plant in Goor. The parent company of Eternit is the Belgian building materials group Etex, which had a turnover in 2024 of €3.78 billion (US$4.37bn). See: Pays-Bas: la société Eternit poursuivie par la justice pour deux décès liés à l’amiante [Netherlands: Eternit company prosecuted for two asbestos-related deaths].

Rochdale Eyesore a Toxic Nightmare

Jun 18, 2025

The toxic 75-acre site of a former asbestos industrial complex in Rochdale is attracting urban explorers bent on making content for YouTube and other platforms. Asbestos manufacturing began here in 1879 and continued for more than a century. The derelict buildings still standing are crumbling as are the asbestos products within the structures and the asbestos debris previously dumped on the site. None of the plans submitted by developers succeeded in gaining planning permission and no decontamination work has been carried out. See: The turbulent story of ‘Rochdale's Chernobyl’ where urban explorers and YouTubers now wander.

Ministry Endorses Asbestos Ban

Jun 18, 2025

In an interview this month with Indian Journalist Puja Awasthi, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary said that banning asbestos was not just a moral issue but also a health imperative. The Minister, who in April, 2025 announced that the use of asbestos would be banned in all India’s schools, called on the Government – the Commerce Ministry, Corporate Affairs Ministry and Finance Ministry – as well as commercial organizations to prioritize the health of India’s citizens over commercial gain. See: ‘Asbestos ban is a health imperative, not just a moral issue’: Jayant Chaudhary.

Naval Service & Asbestos Exposure

Jun 18, 2025

In a case brought over the asbestos death of naval engineer Michele Cannavò, the Rome Civil Court ordered the Navy to pay compensation of €400,000 (US$463,000) to the deceased’s family. Mr Cannavò, who was from Catania, died from pleural mesothelioma after decades of occupational exposures to asbestos on board ships – in the engine rooms, corridors, from pipe linings etc. – and onshore at the Augusta Military Arsenal and elsewhere. See: Esposizione all’amianto, Marina Militare condannata a risarcire 400mila euro [Exposure to asbestos, Navy ordered to pay compensation of 400 thousand euros].

HSE Prosecution in Bristol

Jun 18, 2025

Following a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), construction site supervisor Adrian Barraclough was fined £1,800 after he exposed children and staff at a primary school in Bristol to asbestos during renovation work carried out in May 2023. The accused used a circular saw to cut through asbestos insulating board thus spreading fibers throughout the school hall. Barraclough pleaded guilty to breaching Section 7(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Commenting on the outcome of the case HSE inspector Ian Whittles said: “In this case, wholly unacceptable exposure to asbestos fibres occurred as a result of an individual employee not following instructions and procedures designed to prevent such occurrences.” See: Site supervisor fined after exposing school pupils to asbestos.

Skewed Debate on Asbestos

Jun 18, 2025

The confusion, much of it deliberately manufactured by vested interests, which seems to dominate India’s asbestos dialogue has paralysed the national government which continues to allow thousands of tonnes of deadly asbestos to be imported every year. The massive use of asbestos over several decades has left the country with a terrible legacy with many people now being diagnosed with asbestos-related cancers and diseases. There is no systemized and coherent national scheme to track the injured and relatively no support or assistance available to them or their families. See: Why has India not banned asbestos, a known carcinogen?

Remembering the “Kubota Shock”

Jun 16, 2025

On June 14, 2025, Professor Emeritus Kenichi Miyamoto, gave a 90-minute lecture “Endless Asbestos Disaster” as part of a program of activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the “Kubota Shock,” the moment when Japan’s deadly asbestos legacy exploded onto the public consciousness. During the free public event, Dr. Kazunori Okabe, Director of the Department ofThoracic Surgery gave a presentation “Asbestos and Pleural Mesothelioma” and Dr. Hiroshi Iida, Secretary General of the Amagasaki Occupational Safety and Health Center, discussed the “Serious Asbestos Damage in Amagasaki.” See: 石綿被害「クボタショック」20年　95歳になった公害研究者の思い [Asbestos Damage “Kubota Shock.” 20 Year Thoughts of a 95-Year-Old Pollution Researcher].

Prostate Cancer & Asbestos

Jun 16, 2025

A ruling by Veterans Affairs Canada that had denied benefits for service-related injuries to the widow of a military veteran, was overturned on May 21, 2025 by the Veterans Review and Appeal Board panel. The two-member appeal board panel found that the prostate cancer which killed the marine engineer had been caused by long-term exposures to asbestos in boiler rooms of naval vessels. The claimant was awarded full disability benefits. See: Canadian veteran’s family wins compensation for cancer linked to asbestos on military ships.

Adding Insult to Injury

Jun 16, 2025

The name of the largest gender-equal rugby league training facility in Australia, which is operated by the New South Wales Parramatta Eels rugby league team, was last week revealed to be the James Hardie (JH) Centre of Excellence and Community Centre. In May, 2025 asbestos diseases sufferers termed the club’s decision to link up with JH “outrageous.”Generations of fans of the West Sydney-based team would have suffered fatalities as a result of toxic exposures experienced at JH asbestos factories in Sydney and elsewhere. See: Parramatta Eels announces James Hardie as Naming Rights Partner of Centre of Excellence.

Update on Mesothelioma Research

Jun 16, 2025

On June 10, 2025 a landmark step was taken in Casale Monferrato, the Italian town at the center of a national asbestos epidemic, when the Asbestos Strategic Committee unanimously approved the terms of a new clinical, preclinical and translational mesothelioma research project. Supporters of the new program, said it was “a significant step forward in taking care of mesothelioma patients and improving treatment pathways at the regional level.” See: Terapie personalizzate e qualità della vita: sì a un nuovo progetto di ricerca contro il mal d’amianto [Personalized therapies and quality of life: yes to new research project tackling asbestos sickness].

Asbestos News: Global Developments

Jun 16, 2025

Two articles in the current issue of the ANROEV (Asian Network for the Rights of Occupational and Environmental Victims) newsletter discussed important asbestos-related developments. The text on page 6 – SLAPP Parasite Haunts Advocacy for the Public's Right to be Protected from Asbestos Hazards in Indonesia – detailed the current legal machinations by asbestos lobbyists in Indonesia to forestall government action on the asbestos hazard. The article on page 8 – Study Confirms Link Between Occupational Asbestos Exposure and Gastrointestinal Cancers – confirmed research findings linking occupational asbestos exposures to gastrointestinal cancers, including oesophageal, stomach, and colorectal cancer. See [Download page]: ANROEV Newsletter Issue 66. 2025.

Mesothelioma: Gene Expression Profile

Jun 16, 2025

An article by four Italian and US scientists which appeared in the September 2025 online issue of the Journal of Experimental and Molecular Pathology – an open access, peer-reviewed publication – identified “a distinct gene expression profile linked to asbestos exposure” in cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma. It is hoped that this discovery will be useful in helping researchers focus on “identifying novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers.” See: From asbestos exposure to carcinogenesis: Transcriptomic signatures in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Asbestos Eradication: Update

Jun 11, 2025

On June 5, 2025 Kenya’s Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa issued a directive mandating the immediate removal of all asbestos roofing materials from buildings across the country “to safeguard public health and environmental integrity.” Under the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Management of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Materials) Regulations, 2024, it is obligatory for property owners to safely remove and dispose of all asbestos-containing roofing materials. Ideally, action should be taken in the near future but there is, as yet, no deadline. See: Environment CS Barasa Orders Nationwide Asbestos Roof Ban.

Grenoble Asbestos Conference

Jun 11, 2025

In a fortnight, an international asbestos conference will be held in Grenoble, France to consider a multiplicity of subjects arising from the widespread industrial asbestos legacy which persists even in countries which outlawed asbestos use. Presentations on how to address the technical, social and medical challenges posed by asbestos contamination will be made by speakers from Europe, Asia, Latin and North America and Asia. Translations into French and English will be available. See: RÉSIDU& OUBLI La fabrique des héritages toxiques. Réflexions croisées à partir du cas exemplaire de l’amiante [RESIDUE & REMEMBRANCES The making of toxic legacies. Discussions of the cautionary case of asbestos].

Good News from Perth!

Jun 11, 2025

Researchers at the National Centre for Asbestos-related Diseases Research (NCARD) in Perth, Western Australia announced this week that they had secured a A$500,000 (US$326,200) grant from the icare Dust Diseases Board’s Discovery and Innovation Grants Program to establish the Mesothelioma AI Genomics and Immunology Consortium (MAGIC). Work on this program will begin in July 2025 and last for three years. According to the NCARD news release: “the MAGIC initiative aims to create an international consortium that brings together leading researchers and clinicians from multiple countries to advance mesothelioma research.” See: NCARD secures $500K for international mesothelioma research consortium.

Kubota Shock Anniversary

Jun 11, 2025

June 29th will mark the 20th anniversary of the Kubota Shock, the day when the human consequences of Japan’s massive use of asbestos exploded onto the public consciousness. The article cited below discussed the deadly impact of the asbestos operations at the Kubota factory and detailed the work of Hiroshi Iida, secretary general of the Amagasaki Workers' Safety and Health Center, a grassroots resource which provides support for sufferers of asbestos-related diseases. See: 「時限爆弾」抱える住民　クボタのアスベスト禍20年、終わらぬ救済 [Residents living with a “time bomb”: 20 years on from Kubota's asbestos disaster, relief efforts continue].

Asbestos in the NOA

Jun 11, 2025

Authorities in South Korea’s Gangwon Province are progressing plans to widen regulations related to ensuring the safe management of asbestos in the built and natural environment (naturally occurring asbestos [NOA]). Explaining the legislation which was passed on June 9 and is expected to be promulgated on June 20, Rep. Park Gil-seon said: “Both asbestos materials used in buildings and asbestos found in nature can pose a threat to the health of residents.” See: 박길선 도의원, 석면 피해 예방 위한 조례 전부개정 추진 [Provincial Councilor Park Gil-seon promotes revision of all ordinances to prevent asbestos damage].

Asbestos Mine: Update

Jun 11, 2025

Current operations at one of Canada’s most contaminated worksites – the former Cassiar asbestos mine in British Columbia – are a serious cause for concern, reported Nikki Skuce co-chair of the mining watchdog: BC Mining Law Reform Network. In 2003, the toxic site was obtained by Cassiar Jade Contracting Inc., which is mining for jade. According to the terms of acquisition, the company agreed to undertake $50,000 worth of reclamation work annually. In a recent statement Skuce asked: “What are the precautions they're undertaking for that reclamation so they're not also exposing new people to asbestos?” See: Cassiar asbestos mine, near Yukon-B.C. border, one of province's most contaminated: mining watchdog.

Victim’s Verdict!

Jun 6, 2025

This week, the Lazio Regional Administrative Court in Italy ordered the Ministry of Defense to pay compensation of €200,000 (US$229,000) to the widow and son of a sailor who died from mesothelioma. The deceased, who was a non-commissioned officer in the Navy for 40 years, was exposed to asbestos at sea and on shore during his military service. See: “Esposto ad amianto per 40 anni”: Tar del Lazio condanna la Difesa per la morte di un marinaio [“Exposed to asbestos for 40 years”: Lazio Regional Administrative Court condemns Defense [Ministry] for death of sailor].