Looking Back – A Review of 2025
December is traditionally the time of year to review the accomplishments, triumphs and low points of the last twelve months. As can be seen by the number of features, blogs, resources and news items on the IBAS website, asbestos victims’ groups, ban asbestos campaigners, occupational health and safety activists and others have continued to make an important impact on the global asbestos dialogue. Throughout the year, initiatives to identify the asbestos-injured, build medical capacity, implement awareness campaigns, lobby decision-makers and expose asbestos injustices were implemented in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, Latin & North America. There can be no doubt that asbestos and the multiple problems it poses to humanity and the environment are now an integral part of discussions about human rights, environmental justice, ecodiversity and sustainability.
This year we witnessed an almost unprecedented number of documentaries, books, newspaper exposes, podcasts, photographic and museum exhibitions about asbestos. New books by Australian human rights lawyer/academic David Kinley – In A Rain of Dust, Death, Deceit and the Lawyer who Busted Big Asbestos1 – and British author and further education worker Tom White – Bad Dust, A History of the Asbestos Disaster2 made major contributions to the discourse on the history of asbestos crimes in South Africa, the UK and around the world. Documentaries from Spain and Australia – La Fibra Sensible (Moral Fiber)3 and Yurlu | Country4 – underscored the ongoing repercussions of the historic commercial exploitation of asbestos for individuals as well as communities while museum exhibitions in Canada and the US reinforced the truth of the expression: “he who pays the piper calls the tune.”5
 Picture courtesy of McLean County Museum of History, Bloomington, Illinois, USA. |
We were delighted earlier this year to hear that Moldova, a country formerly under Russian influence, had banned asbestos and that politicians in India, the world’s largest asbestos user, had outlawed asbestos use in centrally-run schools.6 In March, Kenyan politicians weary of the slow pace of asbestos eradication also acted proactively by approving a nationwide initiative to remove asbestos from all public and private facilities; while in September UK authorities committed to conducting an asbestos audit of the public estate, beginning with schools and hospitals, in 2026. The launch of an international scheme for building nursing capacity for patients with asbestos-related diseases was announced by IBAS, Mesothelioma UK and the Asbestos Dust Diseases Research Institute (Australia) in August 2025.7 Good news this year from China, one of the world’s top producers and users, was the publication of multiple research papers which underscored the Chinese government’s growing acknowledgement of the country’s deadly asbestos legacy. Other high points of the year included:
- in February, the Central Jakarta District Court threw out legal arguments by the asbestos manufacturers association (FICMA) which had sought huge damages from civil society groups; the case was remanded to the Jakarta District Court;8
- on March 31-April 2 the second phase of a Brazilian asbestos outreach project was implemented. The results of medical tests conducted in September 2024 on 584 at-risk residents of the Brazilian State of Bahia were delivered; high levels of disease were diagnosed;9
 Family Doctors Giving Advice to Asbestos-Related Disease Patients, April 2025. Picture courtesy of ABREA/AVICAFE. |
- on June 24 the Constitutional Court of Slovenia handed down a historic verdict, upholding the successor right of relatives to bring a legal action for the asbestos death of family members;10
- an ongoing campaign by British asbestos victims to hold to account a former asbestos conglomerate attracted political support and media attention after a Parliamentary meeting was held;11
- high-profile protests by grassroots campaigners and local people in and around the Croatian capital in August, resulted in a U-turn in government policy that led to the expulsion of an Italian-owned asbestos-contaminated ferry from the country;12
 August 1, 2025 Moby Drea protest in front of the City Administration building, Split, Croatia. Picture courtesy of the Association for Nature, Environment and Sustainable Development – Sunce. |
- academic papers confirming the health hazard posed by airborne and waterborne asbestos fibers in Kyrgyzstan, Iran and Canada were published;13
- on August 27-29, an educational event was held in Phnom Pen, Cambodia entitled Improving Diagnosis and Response to Occupational Cancers: Asbestos and Dust Related Diseases;14
 Opening of the August, 2025 medical training workshop in Phnom Penh. Picture courtesy of the Health Ministry, Cambodia. |
- on September 14, delegates from Korea, Japan and India took part in the Korea–Japan Asbestos Seminar which was held in Seoul, South Korea;15
 Ban Asbestos Protest in Seoul, South Korea. September 14, 2025. Picture courtesy of Citizens’ Center for Environmental Health. |
- in September, global supporters of Indonesian ban asbestos campaigners facing a punitive lawsuit from the asbestos lobby submitted evidence to the Jakarta District Court in the form of Amicus Curiae (Friends of the Court) statements; 16
- in September & October, new articles by US and Canadian experts on the hazard posed by ingested asbestos were uploaded to the IBAS website;17
- on October 21, 2025 a colorful protest by civil society groups in central Seoul, South Korea called on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) to take action on the region’s asbestos epidemic;18
 October 21, 2025. Asbestos Protest in Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul. Picture courtesy of Asian Citizens’ Center for Environmental Health (Eco-Health). |
- in October, an update from China showed the expansion of the remediated corridor for Giant Pandas in Sichuan where abandoned asbestos mines had been reclaimed and contaminated landscapes remediated;19
- on October 30, 2025, a judgment by India’s National Green Tribunal (NGT) rejected asbestos industry propaganda; the NGT agreed that there was no safe limit of asbestos exposure, asbestos fibers were not “locked” into asbestos-cement products and the failure of the authorities to recognize the danger posed by non-occupational asbestos exposures must be addressed;20
- the 17th gathering of the International Mesothelioma Interest Group brought together hundreds of organizers, speakers and delegates in Philadelphia; it was truly impressive to share the buzz and enthusiasm expressed by cutting edge scientists!
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- the publication of a new ban asbestos position paper by the Building and Workers’ International (BWI) Prohibit all asbestos-bonded materials from IFC-invested projects reinforced the leadership role of the BWI in the international campaign to protect workers from the asbestos hazard;21
- on November 17, 2025, the DKI Jakarta High Court, upheld the right of individuals and groups to campaign for an end to asbestos use in Indonesia;22
- the ITUC-AP 3rd Regional Asbestos Conference which was held in Malaysia on December 9-10 issued a Conference Statement that delineated a raft of measures for trade unions to adopt to eradicate the asbestos hazard from Asia;23
- in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the Brazilian Association of the Asbestos-Exposed (ABREA), on December 12, 2025, the Association was presented with a prestigious silver plaque by Councilman Professor Toninho Vespoli on behalf of the legislative municipal authority of São Paulo City;24
 Award presented to ABREA on December 12, 2025. Picture courtesy of ABREA. |
This has been a difficult year for Russian asbestos producers who collectively supply the majority of asbestos used globally every year. Amongst the challenges faced were: the instability of the global economy and sanctions, falling global asbestos sales, logistical problems, the emergence of alternative materials replacing chrysotile-containing products, fierce competition for asbestos markets, etc.25 In April, workers at Uralasbest, Russia’s second biggest asbestos producer, were told that their wages would be further decreased by the imposition of a three-day working week. The fierce opposition to this announcement forced the company to rescind its plans.26
Although the Brazilian Supreme Court banned the commercial exploitation of asbestos in 2017, chrysotile asbestos is still being mined for export. This discrepancy has been challenged in the Supreme Court and the decision on the litigation was postponed on multiple occasions. A resolution of this controversy was expected in June/July. On June 21, 2025, it was reported in “O Popular” – a Brazilian newspaper based in the asbestos mining state of Goiás – that the President of the Supreme Court (STF) had once again postponed a hearing on the unconstitutionality of the Goiás state law which exempted the Cana Brava asbestos mine from the STF’s 2017 ruling. 27 As a result, asbestos mining in Goiás continues.
The IBAS website remains the go-to resource for ban asbestos campaigners, concerned citizens and members of the press. Frequent calls and requests by journalists, authors and film-makers from the UK and abroad, confirm the popularity and visibility of IBAS online resources.28 IBAS data and articles are frequently cited in academic papers as information sources.
Despite the progress made in 2025, much remains to be done. We look forward to working with you all in 2026. In the meantime, please accept greetings of solidarity and friendship and our very best wishes for a happy and healthy new year!
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December 29, 2025
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1 Kazan-Allen, L. A Very Long Wait for Enlightenment. May 15, 2025.
https://www.ibasecretariat.org/lka-a-very-long-wait-for-enlightenment.php
2 Kazan-Allen, L. Review: Bad Dust, A History of the Asbestos Disaster. September 18, 2025.
https://www.ibasecretariat.org/lka-review-bad-dust-a-history-of-the-asbestos-disaster.php
3 Kazan-Allen, L. Review: Bad Dust, A History of the Asbestos Disaster. September 18, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-review-bad-dust-a-history-of-the-asbestos-disaster.php
4 Yurlu | Country Wins Walkley Documentary Award. November 27, 2025.
https://www.filmink.com.au/public-notice/yurlu-country-wins-walkley-documentary-award/
5 Kazan-Allen, L. Two Museums, Two Realities. August 21, 2025.
http://ibasecretariat.org/lka-blogzxa237.php
6 Kazan-Allen, L. Moldova Bans Asbestos! February 4, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-moldova-bans-asbestos.php
Kazan-Allen, L. Global Asbestos Round-Up: June 2025. June 21, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-global-asbestos-round-up-june-2025.php
7 Press Release. International Mesothelioma Nurse Development Grant. August 27, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/press-release-international-mesothelioma-nurse-development-grant.pdf
8 Kazan-Allen, L. Indonesian Court Supports Consumers’ Asbestos Lawsuit. February 20, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-indonesian-court-supports-consumers-asbestos-lawsuit.php
9 Kazan-Allen, L. Collaboration Confirms Bahia’s Asbestos Catastrophe. May 1, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-collaboration-confirms-bahia-s-asbestos-catastrophe.php
Kazan-Allen, L. Spring 2025: Hope and Where to Find it! April 22, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-spring-2025-hope-and-where-to-find-it.php
10 Kazan-Allen, L. Landmark Asbestos Ruling in Slovenia! July 4, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-landmark-asbestos-ruling-in-slovenia.php
11 Kazan-Allen, L. Asbestos Escape Routes in Jeopardy? July 29, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-asbestos-escape-routes-in-jeopardy.php
12 Kazan-Allen, L. Asbestos “Circus” Comes to Dalmatia! August 12 & September 17, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-asbestos-circus-comes-to-dalmatia.php
13 Kazan-Allen, L. Yet More Confirmation of Asbestos Hazard! August 6, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-yet-more-confirmation-of-asbestos-hazard.php
14 Kazan-Allen, L. Breakthrough in Cambodia! September 11, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-breakthrough-in-cambodia.php
15 Kazan-Allen, L. Meeting Asia’s Asbestos Challenges. October 1, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-meeting-asia-s-asbestos-challenges.php
16 ibid
17 Frank. A. The Hazard of Ingested Asbestos. September 2, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/a-frank-the-hazard-of-ingested-asbestos.php
Branch, J. Tough to Swallow – Asbestos Cement Water Pipes in Canada. October 7, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/jb-tough-to-swallow-asbestos-cement-water-pipes-in-canada.php
18 Kazan-Allen, L. Asbestos Protest in Seoul! October 23, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-asbestos-protest-in-seoul.php
19 四川雅安废弃矿区的“新生”:智慧修复构筑生态走廊 [The “Rebirth” of Abandoned Mining Areas in Ya’an, Sichuan: Smart Restoration Builds an Ecological Corridor]. October 31, 2025.
https://news.qq.com/rain/a/20251031A0435B00
20 2025 Judgment on use of Asbestos Cement Roofing Sheets in Indian Schools [Commentary]. December 12, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/2025-judgment-on-use-of-asbestos-cement-roofing-sheets-in-indian-schools.php
21 BWI. Prohibit all asbestos-bonded materials from IFC-invested projects. November 17, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/bwi-prohibit-all-asbestos-bonded-materials-from-ifc-invested-projects.pdf
22 Kazan-Allen, L. Indonesia Update 2025: Victories, Research, Subterfuge. December 16, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-indonesia-update-2025-victories-research-subterfuge.php
23 ITUC-AP 3rd Regional Conference on Asbestos – Conference Statement. December, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/ituc-ap-3rd-regional-conference-on-asbestos-statement.pdf
24 Kazan-Allen, L. Congratulations to ABREA! December 9, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/press-release-congratulations-to-abrea-dec-9-2025.pdf
Câmara de SP concede a Salva de Prata à Associação Brasileira dos Expostos ao Amianto [The São Paulo City Council awards the Silver Salute to the Brazilian Association of Those Exposed to Asbestos]. December 12, 2025.
https://www.saopaulo.sp.leg.br/blog/camara-de-sp-concede-a-salva-de-prata-a-associacao-brasileira-dos-expostos-ao-amianto/
25 Kazan-Allen, L. Asbestos Towns, Asbestos Didactics. January 28, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-blogzxa230.php
Kazan-Allen, L. Crisis for Russia’s Asbestos Producers? January 14, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-crisis-for-russia-s-asbestos-producers.php
26 Kazan-Allen, L. Ongoing Crisis in Russian Asbestos Monotown? April 8, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-ongoing-crisis-in-russian-asbestos-monotown.php
27 Kazan-Allen, L Newton’s Third Law of Asbestos Politics. July 3, 2025.
https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-blogzxa236.php
28 IBAS article abstracts: http://ibasecretariat.org/abs_archive_articles.php?sel=all
IBAS news items: https://ibasecretariat.org/abs_archive_news.php?sel=all&val=all
IBAS blogs: https://ibasecretariat.org/lka-blog.php
