News Archive

A statement issued on April 17, 2025 by the National Education Union (NEU) – the largest education union in the UK and Europe – at its 2025 annual conference in Harrogate highlighted the deadly consequences of continuing government neglect of school infrastructure: “School building safety is of paramount importance, yet successive governments have paid lip service to it, especially where asbestos is concerned. The number of school staff and former pupils who have died from mesothelioma as a result of being exposed to asbestos at school continues to grow.” See: Health and safety in education – learning from Grenfell.

Another Conviction for Schmidheiny!

Apr 24, 2025

On April 17, 2025, the Court of Assizes of Appeal of Turin, Italy handed down a mixed verdict; while the new ruling confirmed a lower court’s guilty verdict of Swiss billionaire Stephan Schmidheiny, it reduced his punishment from 12 to 9 years and 6 months in jail. The defendant was convicted of having committed multiple manslaughters of workers at his company’s asbestos factory in Casale Monferrato. Schmidheiny had previously also been held responsible for asbestos deaths in several other Italian jurisdictions. See: Processo Eternit bis: pena ridotta all’ex amministratore Schmidheiny per le morti da amianto [Eternit bis trial: former administrator Schmidheiny receives reduced sentence for asbestos-related deaths].

Update on National Asbestos Ban

Apr 24, 2025

Although some restrictions on asbestos were implemented in 1999 and 2005, the use of asbestos-containing products in Malaysia remains legal, despite a government pledge to consider a national ban. The article cited below is a timely discussion of the deadly hazards posed by workplace and environmental exposures to asbestos and a reminder that scores of other countries have already acted to protect populations by prohibiting asbestos use. A spokeswoman for the Consumers’ Association of Penang, which has supported an asbestos ban for decades, called on the government to take decisive action sooner rather than later. See: Asbestos: The tiny fibres that threaten our lives.

Waterblasting Asbestos Roof

Apr 24, 2025

On March 9, 2025, structures in the vicinity of waterblasting operations on the roof of 102 Daniell Street, a domestic property in the Wellington suburb of Newtown, were contaminated by an asbestos slurry coming off the roof. Tests commissioned by local people found two types of asbestos in the debris. According to a council spokesperson there was “minimal risk to the general public,” nevertheless eradication work is being progressed by specialist contractors at buildings downwind of the site. See: Asbestos blown on to Wellington homes by waterblasters.

Urgent Need to Address Asbestos Hazard

Apr 24, 2025

On April 21, 2025 Councilor Sung Chang-yong, a member of the Planning and Finance Committee of South Korea’s Busan City Council, urged the municipality to take urgent action to protect citizens from the continuing hazard posed by the city’s shipbuilding legacy. Operations at the contaminated site continue to endanger the lives of workers as well as local people by liberating carcinogenic asbestos fibers into the atmosphere, he said, during the first plenary session of the 328th Extraordinary Congress. See: 성창용 부산시의원 "부산시, 수리조선소 유발 '환경성질환' 적극 대응해야" [Busan City Councilor Sung Chang-yong, “Busan City must actively respond to ‘environmental diseases’ caused by repair shipyards”].

Mesothelioma Data

Apr 24, 2025

A study published in journal Lung Cancer reported that China and the US had the world’s highest numbers of deaths from mesothelioma, the signature cancer associated with exposure to asbestos. However, in 2021 “the ASIRs [age-standardized incidence rates] and ASDRs [age-standardized death rates] for mesothelioma were highest in the United Kingdom and Australia. The ASIRs were 2.01 for the UK and 2.00 for Australia. The ASDRs were 1.82 and 1.75, respectively.” See: US Had Second Highest Number of Deaths From Mesothelioma in 2021.

Victim’s Victory in Osaka!

Apr 23, 2025

On April 17, 2025, a decision by Chief Judge Yasushi Taniguchi of the Osaka High Court, Japan reversed a December 2024 verdict by Judge Yuki Tatsuno who had supported the government’s defence that the claim – from the family of a deceased asbestos factory worker – was barred by the statute of limitations. In the new ruling, Judge Taniguchi rejected this argument and ordered the government to pay compensation of ¥6 million (US$42,150) to the family. See: アスベスト被害の賠償請求権、除斥期間の起点は「労働局の被害認定時」…元労働者側が大阪高裁で逆転勝訴 [Statute of limitations for asbestos damage claims begins "when damage is certified by Labor Bureau" – former worker wins case in Osaka High Court].

Pioneering Asbestos Outreach Project

Apr 23, 2025

Results reported this month of a medical surveillance program of at-risk populations in the Brazilian State of Bahia raised serious concerns about the ongoing legacy of the commercial exploitation of asbestos at the Sao Felix Asbestos Mine in Bom Jesus da Serra and Poçoes. Out of a total cohort of 584 people examined, 66 were diagnosed with one or more asbestos-related diseases: 30% had been exposed at work with the remaining 70% exposed to asbestos in the environment. See: Estudo revela impactos do amianto na saúde da população do sudoeste baiano [Study reveals the impacts of asbestos on the health of the population in southwest Bahia].

Urban Transformation: Asbestos Alert

Apr 23, 2025

People living in the Kadikoy district of Istanbul are mobilizing over the hazardous conditions caused by developers’ continued failure to comply with mandatory asbestos health and safety regulations. Contractors are, they allege, falsifying clearance certificates to speed up demolition and clearance work on new projects and not removing asbestos material as required. Municipal officials deny these claims. Commenting on the situation Chest Diseases Specialist Sedat Urkmez warned: “Inhaling construction dust, especially if asbestos is present, can cause serious issues for cancer patients or those with weakened immune systems.” See: Asbestos concerns erupt during urban transformation on Istanbul’s Bagdat Avenue.

Calls for Asbestos Action Now!

Apr 23, 2025

The commentary cited below by journalist Katharine Quarmby called on the UK Government to prioritize the eradication of the asbestos hazard from the UK infrastructure: “Every month that the Government fails to act is another month in which people are being exposed to asbestos through no fault of their own – in their homes, at work, in the air and in public buildings. It doesn’t need to be that way – but only the Government can really turn this around.” See: Why the Government has to deal with the UK’s asbestos legacy.

Asbestos Crimes in the Basque Country

Apr 23, 2025

At a Barcelona press conference earlier this month, leaders of community and workers’ groups highlighted concerns over continued failures by developers to abide by mandatory health and safety regulations. The Association of Retirees and the Federation of Neighborhood Associations of Barcelona, which are calling for the removal of the asbestos material remaining within the Barcelona built environment, stipulated that this must be accomplished “always under appropriate conditions.” Several recent cases of dangerous worksites in local neighborhoods – La Verneda, Poblenou, and Eixample – were reported. See: Dangerous asbestos removal in Barcelona denounced: “No one checks to see if fibers are released”.

National Asbestos Eradication Program

Apr 23, 2025

An article uploaded last month, reported that on On March 11, 2025, the Kenyan Cabinet officially approved a nationwide program to eliminate the asbestos hazard from the built environment. In a press release about this decision, an official spokesperson explained that it was taken not only to “enhance public health and safety” but also to “reduce future disease burden, cut healthcare costs, and enhance environmental safety.” According to a directive issued at the meeting chaired by President William Ruto: “NEMA will oversee the safe removal, disposal, and handling of asbestos. County governments were urged to establish designated disposal sites.” See: Asbestos, the deadly material lining Kenya's public institutions.

Johnson & Johnson: New Book

Apr 16, 2025

The link below is to an interview with NY investigative journalist Gardiner Harris whose new book: “No More Tears: The Dark Secrets Of Johnson & Johnson (J&J),” reveals key J&J scandals including the company’s predatory marketing techniques, suppression of research findings and deadly decision-making processes which supported the continued sale of asbestos-containing talc-based powder and other pharmaceuticals decades after the human health hazards were known. See: ‘No More Tears’ author discusses Johnson & Johnson's questionable business practices.

Asbestos-cement Water Pipes Alert

Apr 16, 2025

According to Ömer Fethi Gürer, a member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and a member of the TURKPA Commission on Environment, Natural Resources and Health Protection, 2,700 kilometers of drinking water pipes in Turkey are still made of asbestos-cement. They should, he said, be replaced as a matter of urgency because of the hazard they posed to human health. Over the last 15 years, 82% of asbestos water pipes – equal to 15,000 kilometers – have been replaced in Turkey. See: CHP'li Gürer duyurdu: '2 bin 700 kilometrelik içme suyu borusu asbestli' [CHP's Gürer announced: ‘2,700 kilometers of drinking water pipes are asbestos’].

Asbestos Alert!

Apr 16, 2025

Trade union representatives at garage workshops in Molenbeek, in the Brussels capital region of Belgium, reported concerns over the presence of asbestos at the workplace. The premises were owned by the Brussels Public Transport Company (the STIB). As a precautionary measure, the company announced that the 80 workers from the Molenbeek premises, would be relocated temporarily until testing and decontamination efforts had been completed. See: Amiante dans un atelier de la Stib à Molenbeek: le niveau inférieur à la norme requise, le personnel déménagera "par précaution" [Asbestos in a STIB workshop in Molenbeek: level not meeting required standard, the staff will move “as a precaution”].

Asbestos in Schools

Apr 16, 2025

According to NY Mayoral candidate Brad Lander, who is currently New York City Comptroller, in 2023-24 the Department of Education failed to carry out mandatory inspections of 82% of the city’s 1,700 school buildings. Commenting on the potential deadly consequences of this oversight for school users Lander said: “No level of exposure is safe, and prolonged exposure to asbestos during childhood can cause lung disease and can cause cancer.” See: Over 80% of NYC public schools built with asbestos were not inspected from 2023-2024, audit shows.

Victory for Puglia Asbestos Victims

Apr 16, 2025

Five years after a former soldier died from the asbestos cancer mesothelioma, the final ruling of the Trani Court was handed down; his widow was awarded a lump sum of €400,000 (~US$451,000) plus a monthly pension of €2,400 (~US$2,707) from Italy’s Ministry of Defense. The deceased had been a military radio operator and his death on February 10, 2020 was, the Court agreed, caused by toxic exposures during his service, making him a “victim of duty.” See: Militare morto per amianto in Puglia: il Ministero risarcirà la vedova con 400mila euro e 2400 euro al mese [Death of soldier in Puglia due to asbestos: the Ministry will compensate his widow with 400 thousand euros and 2400 euros per month].

Asbestos Prosecution in Manchester

Apr 16, 2025

Following a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive, self-employed roofing contractor Stephen Wilks was found guilty of breaching asbestos safety regulations after work carried out under his supervision in Altrincham, Greater Manchester in February 2022 led to the contamination of a residential area with asbestos-containing materials. As a result of his failure to comply with safety requirements, the health of two young workers and local residents was put at risk. Wilks was sentenced to pay £3,500+ (US$4,600) in costs and a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work, by Ashton-Under-Lyne Magistrates Court. See: Tradesman fined after asbestos roof dumped in bin.

Asbestos Medical Outreach

Apr 14, 2025

The article cited below reported on the second phase of an asbestos outreach project in a former asbestos mining town in the northeast of Brazil. The results of a screening project organized in 2024 by the Public Ministry of Labor, the Brazilian Association of Asbestos Exposed and the Association of Asbestos-Contaminated Victims and Exposed Families showed that of the 584 people evaluated: 66 were diagnosed with one or more asbestos-related diseases; 30% of participants reported occupational exposures to asbestos; 70% reported environmental exposures. See: Estudo revela impactos do amianto na saúde da população do sudoeste baiano – MPT-BA [Study reveals impacts of asbestos on the health of the population of southwestern Bahia – MPT-BA].

Post-disaster Asbestos Hazard

Apr 14, 2025

Concerns over asbestos contamination following massive earthquakes in Turkey in 2023 have risen to new levels. Findings just reported from research undertaken in May 2024 show that airborne asbestos levels in earthquake areas “were well above the respirable fiber concentration limits determined by the United Nations World Health Organization in 1998.” Safety measures which were recommended by the researchers included: the use of wet working methods, isolation of demolition areas and the use of personal protective equipment by workers. See: Bir il deprem sonrası alarm verdi: Tehlike seviyelerine ulaştı [Province sounds alarm over aftermath of earthquake: danger levels reached].

Asbestos Removal Subsidies

Apr 14, 2025

This year Sokcho City, in the northeast of Gangwon Province, South Korea, allocated financial resources for the removal of asbestos-cement roofing from 87 buildings, including 81 residential and 6 commercial properties. Eligible property owners must apply to the municipality for grants of up to 2.32m won (US$ 2,380). According to the official press release: “The purpose of this project is to prevent health damage caused by asbestos exposure by supporting the cost of demolition and disposal of old asbestos-cement roofs…” See: 속초시, 2025년도 슬레이트 처리 지원사업 추진 [Sokcho City Promotes 2025 Slate Processing Support].

JH on the Move Again!

Apr 14, 2025

Plans by James Hardie (JH), Australia’s one-time asbestos giant, to merge with the US outdoor decking group Azek, are under investigation by the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia. JH is notorious for its efforts to off-load financial liabilities for the damage it has done. After years of dispute with the Australian government, a multibillion dollar compensation fund was set up to ensure that damages would be paid to the injured. Given JH’s relocation to Holland, Ireland and the US, the distrust expressed by the ADSA’s CEO Melita Markey is understandable: “We will need some very strong assurances that all of that [the compensation fund] will remain as it is.” See [subscription site]: Asbestos victims want compensation assurances from James Hardie.

Asbestos at Embassy

Apr 14, 2025

Following asbestos tests carried out in 2024 at the Cultural Center of the Spanish Embassy in Washington, D.C., high levels of airborne asbestos fibers were found. This month, Spain’s Council of Ministers approved an emergency budget of $155,646 for specialist contractors to remove asbestos from the Center “to prevent the continued deterioration of the areas and an increase in the airborne concentration.” Last month, the Association of Spanish Diplomats denounced “the poor condition” of many of Spain’s embassies and consulates, saying they posed “a serious risk to both the people who work there and the public who visit them.” See: More than €144,000 to remove asbestos from the Cultural Center of Embassy in the US.

Asbestos Contamination in Yeongdeok

Apr 14, 2025

Personnel from the Korea Asbestos Safety Association, a non-profit asbestos specialist corporation operating under the Ministry of Environment, continue to play an important role in assisting emergency workers at premises damaged by recent wildfires in Yeongdeok-gun county in South Korea’s North Gyeongsang Province. In a statement by Yeongdeok County Governor Kim Gwang-yeol, he explained: “Based on the association’s expertise, the investigation into dangerous and difficult asbestos-cement structures is proceeding quickly, which is a great help in the subsequent demolition and restoration work. See: 한국석면안전협회, 영덕군 산불 피해 복구 지원 [Korea Asbestos Safety Association, Yeongdeok-gun wildfire damage recovery support].

Asbestos Banned in Schools

Apr 10, 2025

India’s Education Ministry banned the use of asbestos in schools as a precautionary measure to protect students and staff from exposures to a carcinogenic substance. Commenting on the prohibition, Minister of State for Education, Jayant Singh Chaudhary said: “I hope this starts a movement to gradually phase out asbestos use throughout the country and we build a healthier and cancer-free nation for our children.” Asbestos-cement roofing has been widely used on public as well as private buildings throughout India. Its use has also been banned at railway stations. Data collected from 83 Indian hospitals identified 2,213 cases of the signature asbestos cancer mesothelioma between 2012 and 2022. See: Exclusive | Education Ministry Issues Ban On Using Asbestos In KVs And JNV.