News Archive

On March 16, 2026, New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) issued an alert over toxic toys which had been sold between September 9, 2025 and January 10, 2026 at City Beach. The products in question were part of the HTI Stretcherz Slammerz range. According to the MBIE notice: “the ‘sand’ inside the products may contain asbestos.” See: HTI Stretcherz Slammerz sold at City Beach.

Asbestos Debate in Parliament

Mar 23, 2026

An adjournment debate secured on March 16, 2026 by MP Douglas McAllister (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab) highlighted the injustice of government rules which marginalized thousands of asbestos cancer victims every year. The injured are people who contracted lung cancer due to workplace asbestos exposures. Under the Compensation Act 2006, people with mesothelioma “could recover full compensation from any one negligent employer, even if other former employers or their insurers cannot be traced” people suffering from asbestos-related lung cancer could not. To remedy this injustice, the MP urged Parliament to act expeditiously. See: March 16, 2026 Adjournment Debate Asbestos-related Lung Cancer: Compensation Act 2006.

Toxic Toys: Update

Mar 23, 2026

While much of Europe has been in turmoil in recent weeks over reports regarding the sale of asbestos- contaminated toys, there has been no mention of this growing scandal in the country where the products originated: China. With that in mind, the article cited below which detailed the growing public outrage in the Netherlands is a rarity. The text reported mixed results from testing of dozens of products and said that the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority’s final conclusions will be released in “a few more weeks.” See:【荷兰】荷兰媒体炒作儿童玩耍用沙不安全，问题有初步结论 [[Netherlands] Dutch media are hyping up the safety concerns surrounding children's play sand; preliminary conclusions have been reached].

Toxic Toys: Interim Results

Mar 23, 2026

On March 13, 2026, it was reported that the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) found asbestos in 34 of 99 products tested during an investigation into play sand toys. In the vast majority of cases, this involved “very small quantities.” The items recalled to date included: Sand art in a glow-in-the-dark bottle; Colored sand; Sensory wooden blocks filled with colored sand; Blue decorative stones; High-quality cream-colored decorative sand (750 grams). According to a spokesperson for the European Commission “all recalls of Chinese products are shared with the Chinese authorities.” See: NVWA: Asbest in speelzand in 1 op de 3 producten, maar in lage concentraties [Asbestos was already found in ‘Glow Sand Art’ in an AD investigation weeks ago].

Medical Treatment: Update

Mar 23, 2026

Medical researchers in London are pioneering a major research project – HIT-MESO – to examine “whether proton beam therapy (PBT) can significantly improve survival for patients with mesothelioma…” This is the first randomized PBT clinical trial in the UK. The clinicians are optimistic about achieving a significant improvement in survival rates. According to Dr Crispin Hiley, chief investigator of the trial: “Proton beam therapy allows us to deliver high-dose radiation far more precisely, sparing critical organs like the heart and healthy lung.” See: UCLH and UCL researchers trial proton beam therapy in bid to transform treatment for mesothelioma.

Spring Asbestos Offensive

Mar 23, 2026

The top headline article currently on the website of the International Chrysotile Association (ICA) – a Belgium-based trade association backed by global asbestos vested interests – targeted campaigners in Malaysia who had called on their government to take urgent action on the asbestos hazard and ban its use. The content of the text rehashed standard pro-asbestos rhetoric and alleged that in Malaysia, as in other countries, “activists, supported by well-endowed foreign militant organizations” had pressured the Government to outlaw asbestos use without any scientific or medical evidence supporting their arguments. See: Why should Malaysia ban chrysotile asbestos when there is no scientific evidence of any negative impact on human health, or the environment?

Urgent Call for Government Action

Mar 18, 2026

On March 14, 2026, the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) called on the Malaysia government to ensure that all play and craft sand products sold in the country were free from asbestos, an acknowledged carcinogen. The author of the open letter Mohideen Abdul Kader, the President of CAP, reported recent product recalls and market withdrawals in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom of play and craft sand products after laboratory tests had found asbestos contamination. “Unsafe products,” he concluded “threaten lives and undermine fundamental consumer rights, and children should never face preventable risks from toys or craft materials that are assumed to be safe.” See: LETTER | Addressing asbestos risks in children's play and craft sand products.

Asbestos Contamination of Toys and Playsets

Mar 18, 2026

The article cited below, which was uploaded to an Indian news portal on March 8, 2026, took as its point of departure a commentary published on the website of the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS) – this website! The text highlighted growing concerns in multiple countries of the hazard posed by discoveries of asbestos contamination of children’s toys and play sets. As there was no author’s name on the article, it seems likely it was written by AI. Nevertheless, it appears to be a fairly accurate summation of the IBAS March 5, 2026 article: Global Challenges, National Responses. See: Asbestos contamination in children’s products highlights global oversight gaps.

MCCAA Urgent Toy Recall

Mar 18, 2026

Last week, the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) issued a public warning after finding asbestos contamination in seven toys and children’s play sets sold in Malta which contained kinetic or decorative sand. The items recalled were made by HTI Toys, Addo Play Ltd. and Orb Toys, and included products sold in the Stretcherz range of toys, Out to Impress sand and candle making sets, and the Orb Funkee set of rubber animal figures. End users were urged “to immediately halt usage” and return the recalled items to the retailers. See: Consumer authority recalls kinetic sand toys due to asbestos contamination.

Asbestos Convictions!

Mar 18, 2026

On March 6, 2026 two Midlands companies – Sohan Group Limited and Maize Metals Limited – and site manager Ali Raza Baig were found guilty of asbestos infringements by breaching the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court. The charges related to work undertaken at a Staffordshire demolition site in September 2023. The companies were collectively fined £88,300 with costs of £9,017.65. Baig was sentenced to 26 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years; he received a three-month curfew order and was disqualified from being a director for five years. He was ordered to pay costs of £5,899. See: Two companies and site manager prosecuted following large-scale asbestos disturbance.

Victory on Shikoku Island

Mar 18, 2026

On March 13, 2026, the Takamatsu District Court of Japan ordered three building material manufacturers to pay a total of 24.81 million yen (US $155,775) to the families of three construction workers who died of cancer contracted following workplace asbestos exposures. At a press conference after the ruling, one of the plaintiffs’ lawyers said: “This is the first ruling in Shikoku to recognize the responsibility of building material manufacturers, and therefore it is of great significance.” See: アスベスト訴訟　建材メーカー3社の責任を認めて総額2481万円の賠償命令　高松地裁 [Asbestos lawsuit: Takamatsu District Court recognizes the responsibility of three building material manufacturers and orders them to pay a total of 24.81 million yen in compensation].

Asbestos on the Underground

Mar 18, 2026

The link below is to a thoughtful and provocative commentary on the plight faced by injured workers trying to obtain compensation for occupational asbestos exposures suffered whilst employed by Transport for London (TfL) – the “statutory transport authority responsible for London's public transport network and main roads.” Whilst the case discussed related to the unacceptable experiences of John Smith, whose claim was dismissed out of hand, across the network there were hazardous close encounters on a daily basis. Between 2002 and 2024, TfL has paid out £7,034,813.25 in compensation and legal fees for asbestos claims. See: Transport for London denies Station Manager’s asbestos exposure.

EU Asbestos Recalls

Mar 16, 2026

On March 5, 2026, the Safety Gate Alert system of the European Union (EU) reported the mandatory recall of products containing colored play sand that may “contain” asbestos. The Moxy painting sets featured characters from well-known children’s cartoons including: Peppa Pig, Stitch and Paw Patrol. All the items were exported from China and many were sold via online platforms including bol.com – “the leading online marketplace and retailer in the Netherlands and Belgium.” The tests reported by the EU regulatory agency showed that “The play sand contains asbestos fibres (measured value up to 2% by weight). Asbestos could cause cancer.” See: Alert number: SR/00665/26 - Sand Art Activity Toy.

New Asbestos Recall of Toys

Mar 16, 2026

Certain ranges of toys that were sold in Australia between August 26, 2025 and February 11, 2026 were recalled from end-users by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on March 6, 2026 as tests showed that: “tremolite asbestos has been detected in some samples…” The toxic rubber figures were marketed across Australia by HTI Toys HK Limited under the Stretcherz brand name and included figures from the Stretch Squad XXL and Slammerz range of stretchy toys. HTI Toys HK Limited is a Hong Kong-based subsidiary of the UK-based HTI Group. Consumers were advised to return the products to the retailers. See: Stretcherz Stretch Squad XXL and Slammerz – stretchy toys.

Asbestos Pipes in Calgary?

Mar 16, 2026

According to data from the City of Calgary, Canada, there are still 67 kilometers of asbestos-cement (AC) pipes being used in the municipal water delivery system. The article cited below featured information provided by Julian Branch – a Regina-based board member of the NGO: Prevent Cancer Now – who summarized the health issues posed by the ingestion of water delivered via pipes made of a carcinogenic mineral. Journalist D.R. Barrios concluded his text by asking a series of cogent questions: “Where are the AC pipes located? Does Calgary test for asbestos fibres during water breakages in areas with [AC pipes] or downstream from AC pipe? Finally, what is the long-term replacement plan for AC pipes, and when can we expect it?” See: Does Calgary have asbestos in its water supply?

Recall of Toxic Toys!

Mar 16, 2026

On March 6, 2026, the UK’s Office of Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) issued a recall for ORB Funkee Sand Toys (2603-0062) because “the product presents a risk to health as the sand included in the set may be contaminated with a quantity of asbestos.” The toys were sold between July 2025 and February 2026 through retail outlets such as the Entertainer, Tesco, Matalan, Hobbycraft and British Garden Centres stores as well as via websites. The OPSS reported that the products had been withdrawn from the market and recalled from end users. See: Product Recall: ORB Funkee Sand Toys (2603-0062).

Confusion Surrounding NVWA Policy

Mar 16, 2026

Not so long ago the The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) said that it could not take action on asbestos contamination of children’s toys based on tests carried out by private laboratories. Now it is demanding that all tests undertaken on these products in the Netherlands be shared with the NVWA. Attempting to clarify the confusion, a NVWA spokesperson said “the data from other labs is now being requested (or, if necessary, requisitioned) to make the picture ‘as complete as possible’.” See: Onderzoeken naar asbest in speelzand opgeëist door de NVWA [Research into asbestos in play sand requested by the NVWA].

Asbestos Legacy at Libby

Mar 16, 2026

An Open Access document by Professor and Scientific Consultant Jean Pfau and Tracy McNew, Executive Director of the Center for Asbestos Related Disease clinic, which was uploaded on March 5, 2026 asked some incisive questions about the reasoning behind the federal government’s plans to delist Libby, Montana from the list of contaminated Superfund sites. “Shouldn’t we make sure,” the authors asked “before these areas lose precious protections and resources due to delisting” that people can safely live in Libby without fear of future toxic exposures? See: The Libby Asbestos Superfund Site: Safe or not?

Calls for Action on Asbestos Toys

Mar 13, 2026

The Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is under increasing pressure from civil society groups and campaigners who are demanding the implementation of safety protocols which test, certify and label play and craft sand products as asbestos-free. The calls for the FDA to “take timely and decisive regulatory action” came in the aftermath of disturbing discoveries made regarding asbestos contamination of children’s goods sold in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. See: Civil Society Presses FDA to Assure Consumers that Play and Craft Sand Products Sold Locally are Asbestos-Free.

Ministry Recall Notification

Mar 13, 2026

On March 9, 2026, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued a notice stating that some products sold by the Silverback company – children’s playsets – had been recalled voluntarily after results showed that they contained more than 0.1% asbestos. Customers were advised not to dispose of the recalled items in the garbage but to call the seller and arrange for them to collect them. Until then, these items should be stored in tightly sealed, plastic bags. See: 石綿（アスベスト）含有品の販売に関する注意喚起について [Warning regarding the sale of products containing asbestos].

Funeral Delayed

Mar 13, 2026

The March 6, 2026 parish church farewell to 80-year-old Pier Luigi Piacentino was cancelled on an order from the Ivrea Public Prosecutor's Office. The deceased was a Turin pensioner who had been employed at the Honeywell-Bull industrial plant in Caluso. As there is a suspicion that his death had been caused by mesothelioma, an autopsy was ordered and the funeral postponed. See: Funerali sospesi, l’ombra dell’amianto sulla morte di un pensionato di Caluso [Funeral suspended, the shadow of asbestos on the death of pensioner from Caluso].

Asbestos in Schools

Mar 13, 2026

The problems posed by asbestos-containing material still present in Manchester schools was the focus of the article cited below. According to asbestos victims’ campaigner Rob Rayner, younger people are now contracting asbestos cancer in greater numbers due to childhood exposures at school. Three hundred and four of Greater Manchester’s 379 (80%) local authority maintained schools still contain asbestos. Expressing her concerns, Shelley Asquith from the Trade Union Congress said: “We are told asbestos can be ‘safe’ if it's left undisturbed, but there's a particular risk with schools where everyday activities of children cause wear and tear.” See: The silent killer hidden in our schools.

Paying the Price for Toxic Toys!

Mar 13, 2026

One hundred and twenty-seven schools applied to New Zealand’s Ministry of Education for financial assistance with clean-up costs for the remediation of pollution caused by the use of asbestos-contaminated sand products. The end of February was the deadline for the receipt of applications for the one-off lump sum grants. Some schools have spent thousands of dollars on decontamination work. According to the ministry the grants were for schools whose insurance companies would not cover these costs. See: More than 100 schools apply for help covering cost of asbestos sand clean-up.

Toxic Toys!

Mar 13, 2026

The news circulated on February 28, 2026 by the Oxford Mail came as no surprise: Amazon and eBay recalled yet another toy due to possible asbestos contamination. The suspect product this time was a Sand Art Activity Kit sold under the Colour Day brand. According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards this playset presented a “risk to health.” Customers were advised to “contact the distributor you purchased it from for a full refund and dispose of the product in your general household waste.” See: Amazon and eBay recall toy due to asbestos contamination.

Recall of Toxic Rubber Dolls

Mar 11, 2026

On February 26, 2026, German authorities from the Consumer Agency announced the withdrawal of another set of products from the market “due to possible traces of asbestos in toys filled with sand.” The products recalled – which were stretchable rubber dolls – were sold nationwide by retailers under the trade name “Pufferz.” Consumers were warned that due to the potential health risk to children they should stop using the toys immediately and return them to the point of sale. See: Germany recalls sand filled children’s toys suspected of containing asbestos.