News Archive

The August 28, 2026 article cited below revealed that an Open Letter by international health and safety campaigners which had been ignored by the media in Hungary had been acknowledged by the European Commission on behalf of its President Ursula von der Leyen. The global activists had expressed concerns regarding widespread asbestos contamination in western Hungary caused by the use of toxic aggregates from Austrian mines for the construction of road surfaces in Szombathely and surrounding towns. See: EU Acknowledges Concerns Over Asbestos Contamination.

Precedent Set in Tokyo Court

Sep 3, 2026

On August 27, 2026, Presiding Judge Sonoe Taniguchi of the Tokyo High Court rejected an appeal from the Japanese Government and ruled that “the statute of limitations should be calculated from the time of death, not from the onset of symptoms.” The government was ordered to pay 13 million yen (US$81,200) compensation to the family of an insulation worker who died in 2004 from mesothelioma. See: アスベスト被害で高裁が初判断時効の起算点は中皮腫での「死亡時 [High Court Issues First Ruling on Asbestos-Related Harm: Statute of Limitations Starts from “Time of Death” in mesothelioma cases].

Asbestos Town Pivot to Rare Earths

Sep 3, 2026

The economic life of the mining town of Minaçu, in the Brazilian State of Goiás has been linked to asbestos mining for decades. With the 2017 decision of the Supreme Court banning the commercial exploitation of asbestos, the town and industry were living on borrowed time. For now, the industry survives by mining, under a State exemption, for export purposes only. Exploration and development work on the mining of rare earth minerals in Minaçu could portend the cessation of asbestos mining, once and for all. See: Terras raras: saiba como cidade goiana saiu da exploração de amianto para o centro da disputa internacional de minérios [Rare earths: learn how a city in Goiás went from asbestos mining to the center of the international mineral dispute].

New Asbestos Recall for Toxic Toy

Sept 3, 2026

On August 27, 2026, the European Commission’s Safety Gate Alert scheme issued a notification recalling a Brainboom Stretchmonster stretchy sand-filled plastic wolf figure. The turquoise toy was made in China and has been recalled because: “The toy can easily rupture and the filling of the inside could come out. The sand inside contains asbestos (measured value up to 5% by weight). Asbestos could cause cancer.” So far this year, this scheme has issued dozens of alerts for asbestos-contaminated toys and play sand products. See: Alert number: SR/02368/26 – Brainboom Stretchmonster, stretchy toy.

Mesothelioma Data: Update

Sep 3, 2026

Figures released on August 26, 2026 by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) noted that in 2025, 627 cases of mesothelioma had been reported to the Australian Mesothelioma Registry (AMR); likely asbestos exposures were assessed in 90% of those diagnosed and the median age at diagnosis was 78 years. The estimated health system expenditure for mesothelioma cases in 2023–2024 was A$48.6 million / US$35m (total cancers A$19.7 billion / US$14bn). In recent years, Australia’s relative survival rate for mesothelioma has been improving. See: Mesothelioma in Australia 2025.

Asbestos Pollution in Niagara

Sep 3, 2026

Asbestos contamination was recently discovered in soil samples sourced from a former industrial site owned by General Motors in St. Catharines, Southern Ontario, Canada. Local people as well as regional councillors voiced strong criticism of the failure by Niagara Region Public Health and local officials to address the contamination issue. Attempts by members of the public to access information about the extent of the contamination at the 55-acre site next to downtown St. Catharines were continually thwarted. See: Niagara Public Health won’t investigate threats from asbestos, other contaminants on GM site.

Toxic Talc Investigation

Sep 1, 2026

On August 24, 2026, Brazil’s Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) began an investigation into possible asbestos contamination of cosmetics following numerous successful court cases in the US against Johnson & Johnson (J&J) over sales of talc-based baby powder. Brazilian producers of talc-based consumer products as well as importers will be contacted by staff from the PPO. Depending on the responses received to their enquiries, the PPO could hold a public or technical hearing pursuant to opening a civil inquiry. See: Ministério Público investiga presença de amianto em cosméticos com talco [The Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the presence of asbestos in talc-based cosmetics].

Advice for Play Sand

Sep 1, 2026

According to Ian Shaw, Emeritus Professor of Toxicology at Canterbury University, New Zealand, people who were exposed to asbestos-contaminated play sand should receive regular medical check-ups. This advice follows from the ongoing scandal over sales of toxic children’s play sand from multiple retail outlets and online portals. The results of scientific research conducted in New Zealand revealed that the sand contained tremolite asbestos and that just playing with the sand was enough to generate carcinogenic fibers. See: Asbestos exposure register needed for contaminated sand — toxicology professor.

Asbestos at School

Sep 1, 2026

Just 3 months after being diagnosed with the asbestos cancer mesothelioma, 46-year-old Caroline Bryan died. Although the stay-at-home mum had never worked with asbestos, it’s believed that she was exposed to asbestos at her Cardiff high school. The article cited below detailed the ongoing investigation into the actions taken by the local authority to protect schoolchildren and staff from toxic exposures during the 1990s. A High Court claim against Cardiff Council is proceeding. See: Asbestos killed my mum in her 40s – was her school to blame?

Limpopo’s Asbestos Legacy

Sep 1, 2026

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo, “the provincial branch of South Africa's official opposition political party,” is demanding that the provincial authorities undertake a comprehensive audit of asbestos-affected sites, document remaining contamination, update health monitoring programs and report on outstanding work and other related matters. Even where some rehabilitation was done on former asbestos mines, contamination continues to endanger the lives of local communities. See: Mafefe asbestos fears reignite as health concerns grow.

Ship-breaking Hazards

Sep 1, 2026

An article uploaded on August 23, 2026 detailing the August 14 accident at the Sitakunda ship-breaking yard which killed ten workers argued that a lack of oversight and enforcement is exacerbating the hazards for at-risk Bangladeshi workers. Among the toxic conditions prevalent in the ship-breaking yards were exposures to asbestos. Anecdotal evidence and clinical research documented a high rate of asbestos-related diseases among shipbreaking workers; male workers in this industry have a life expectancy 20 years less than the national average. See: Shipbreaking need not be deadly, but weak enforcement is making it so.

Substantial Fine for Asbestos Offender

Sep 1, 2026

According to WorkSafeBC – British Columbia’s workplace regulator – Northland Properties, a company which operates multiple BC hotels under the Sandman Hotel brand, was found guilty of asbestos infringements 12+ times. The latest case arose from asbestos violations during work on a renovation project at the Williams Lake hotel in December 2025. After Northland was fined over $620,000 for that incident, WorkSafeBC said: “This penalty is appropriate for this employer; the employer has received many prior orders relating to asbestos management and also a warning letter and does not seem to have taken any substantive, sustained action to prevent future worker exposure and future violations.” See: FOI reveals operator of Sandman Hotel chain fined over $620K for asbestos violations.

Major Victory Against J&J!

Aug 28, 2026

On August 19, 2026, US District Judge Jamar K. Walker for the Eastern District of Virginia issued his opinion in the case of Pecos River Talc LLC, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson (J&J), v. Theresa Swain Emory, et al. Subject to an appeal by the company, the ruling brings to an end years of litigation against Drs Teresa Emory, John Maddox, and Richard Kradin. The US pathologists had been sued for trade libel by J&J for their publication documenting dozens of cancer cases which had been linked to the use of Johnson & Johnson’s iconic talc-based baby powder. See: Three scientists beat J&J's defamation suit over talc research.

Fresh Perspective on Asbestos Legacy

Aug 28, 2026

The commentary cited below announced the publication of the book entitled: Asbestos Nation: The Story of the Most Dangerous Dust in Australia, by Dr James Watson. The review quoted many fascinating facts from the book, including the following: “The local asbestos industry would have died quickly without government subsidisation. In its thirty-years of business, Wittenoom, the largest asbestos mine in Australia, never once turned a profit.” I also learned a new word: “monopsony power” (look it up!) My order for the book went off last week! See: The Commonwealth Government created the Australian asbestos industry. Now it needs to start paying compensation.

Toxic Play Sand

Aug 28, 2026

After a Christchurch Tribunal ordered retailer Kmart to pay compensation to New Zealand parents whose children played with asbestos-contaminated sand, more parents came forward to speak “about their fight to hold the retailer accountable.” A mother from Hamilton, who spent considerable sums on asbestos testing, air monitoring and replacement furniture, expressed her frustration with Kmart’s rejection of the claim. Another parent succeeded in getting Kmart to reimburse a $1,000-claim, but it is not known how many customers the retailer paid out or how many claims were rejected. See: ‘I'm really appalled for what they've done’ - More parents continue fight over coloured sand.

Asbestos Recall for Toxic Toy

Aug 28, 2026

There has been little coverage in the Italian media about the dozens of recalls for toys contaminated with asbestos issued by the European Union’s Safety Gate Alert scheme this year. Italy’s Ministry of Health sent out alerts in mid-August regarding the sale in Italy of EU recalled toys including: a stretchy sand-filled toy carrot, made in China, and Feel Better Buddy Voodoo Magic stretchy puppet, made in China
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See: Allarme amianto, c’è un altro giocattolo contaminato venduto in Italia: come riconoscerlo e cosa fare se lo hai in casa [Asbestos alarm, there is another contaminated toy sold in Italy: how to recognize it and what to do if you have it at home].

MoD Asbestos Settlement

Aug 28, 2026

Proceedings brought in 2024 against the Ministry of Defense (MoD) over asbestos exposures experienced in 2018 and 2019 by a total of 256 Royal Marines and soldiers on deployment abroad were settled out of court for an unknown amount. The claimants, all of whom were from Plymouth and Scotland, were told that further damages could be claimed “should any of those in the claim go on to develop asbestos-related diseases.” The toxic exposures had taken place at non-MoD training sites in Latvia. See: Royal Marines and soldiers settle MoD asbestos claim.

New York Asbestos “Stop Work Order”

Aug 28, 2026

A Stop Work Order was issued on July 24, 2026 by the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) after asbestos contamination had been found during development work at a prestigious and controversial site on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The paperwork signed by two inspectors from the city’s Department of Environmental Protection brought to an immediate halt work by Extell Developers on the proposed 86-story tower at 80 West 66th Street. See: Construction of Supertall UWS Tower Halted After Asbestos Discovery.

Kmart Play Sand Guilty!

Aug 26, 2026

A New Zealand Disputes Tribunal ordered the Kmart retail chain to pay $15,185.42 to cover costs associated with asbestos testing and remediation to parents Elle Chrisp and David Dingwall whose toddlers played with asbestos-contaminated sand sold by Kmart. According to referee Cynthia Hawes, the sand should not have been offered for sale as it “was unsafe, not fit for purpose and not of acceptable quality under the Consumer Guarantees Act.” See: Disputes Tribunal orders Kmart to pay Christchurch couple over contaminated sand.

Asbestos Diagnosis Camp

Aug 26, 2026

According to South Africa’s Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, medical personnel at the new health screening camps set up in the former asbestos mining town of Mafafe, Limpopo Province and surrounding high-risk areas are utilizing “ultra-portable digital X-ray machines to improve early detection of asbestos-related illnesses…” Abandoned asbestos mines throughout the Province pose an ongoing health hazard as the remediation work carried out at these sites was inadequate or incomplete. See: Health Dept rolls out portable X-ray machines for early asbestos detection.

Asbestos in Schools

Aug 26, 2026

During an August 17th, 2026 press conference, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur Steinberg called on the municipal school district to improve the oversight of renovations being carried out in schools contaminated with asbestos. After millions of dollars were spent over nearly two years, it is still not safe for 400+ pupils and 90 staff members to return to Kensington High School. Alternative premises at the Austin Meehan Middle School were secured seven miles away. See: Philadelphia’s school asbestos problem is already derailing back-to-school.

The Sinking of the São Paulo

Aug 26, 2026

The sinking in 2023 of Brazil’s former flagship the São Paulo by the Brazilian Navy was retold in the article cited below. Purchased from France in 2000 for $12 million, the vessel never really lived up to expectations. It was plagued with mechanical faults and contained a cocktail of lethal materials including asbestos and heavy metals. After being rejected for scrapping by several destinations the 32,800-ton ship returned to Brazilian waters and was sunk about 350 kilometers off the country’s northeastern coast. See: Brazil Sank a 32,900-ton Aircraft Carrier Carrying 9.6 Tons of Toxic Asbestos 3 Miles Into the Atlantic.

Another Asbestos Scandal

Aug 26, 2026

It was reported last week that Hungary’s Minister of Social and Family Affairs Vilmos Kátai-Németh had filed a criminal complaint against an unknown defendant who had signed off in 2022 on the acquisition of 400 expensive containerized boilers, some of which were made in China and contained asbestos, a substance banned in Hungary. The boilers were purchased for use in social and state institutions. The Chinese boilers were never used after an engineering report found they “didn't meet environmental, electrical, fire safety, and occupational safety regulations…” See: Orbán government may have ordered asbestos-contaminated containerized boilers for social institutions, minister files complaint.

Asbestos Alert!

Aug 26, 2026

Italy’s Ministry of Health issued an alert to families, schools, nurseries, childcare facilities and municipalities warning them not to buy or use a 17 centimeters long elastic carrot toy which was found to be contaminated with tremolite asbestos. The toxic toy, which was made in China, was previously recalled by the EU Safety Gate Alert system as per notification SR/01963/26. According to the Ministry, the matter of how to dispose of the toxic toy was left to local authorities. See: Allerta del Ministero della Salute per Giocattolo Contenente Amianto [Ministry of Health Warning for Toy Containing Asbestos].

Diagnosis Camp in Mafefe

Aug 24, 2026

On August 17, 2026, a new initiative was implemented in Mafefe – a former asbestos mining town in the Limpopo Province of South Africa; the local population is suffering from a “public health crisis caused by unmitigated environmental asbestos contamination from mines that largely shut down over four decades [ago].” The inauguration of the integrated community medical program, was attended by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba. Local people, including former miners, will be screened for a range of asbestos-related diseases. See: Motsoaledi, Ramathuba to Lead Asbestos Health Screening Drive in Mafefe.