News Archive

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.

Tackling Asbestos Fraud

Mar 11, 2026

UK stakeholders announced last month that initiatives had been mounted to tackle the existence of incompetent and unqualified asbestos surveyors and the widespread fraud perpetrated by them. The statement below by the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) detailed their collaboration with the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), the Royal Society for Public Health, trading standards services and the Daily Mail newspaper to “bring fraudulent asbestos surveyors to justice.” See: Action to Tackle Fraudulent Asbestos Surveyors Defrauding Householders and Businesses and Threatening Health.

Government U-Turn

Mar 11, 2026

On February 26, 2026, the French authorities announced the official suspension of the sale of all sand-based toys after several recalls had been issued due to the presence of asbestos contamination. The affected products included colored play sand for creative activities as well as modelling sand also known as “magic sand.” The Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) recommended “precautionary measures to professionals and parents with regard to health risks.” See: Amiante dans des jouets à base de sable: les autorités appellent à suspendre leur vente en France [Asbestos in sand-based toys: the authorities call for their sale to be suspended in France].

One Nation’s Asbestos Legacy

Mar 11, 2026

The timely LinkedIn post by Environmental Consultant Ahmad Shendi cited below reviewed the wide-ranging nature of the challenges New Zealanders faced in dealing with asbestos issues. Far from being “just” a historic problem Shendi explained, significant challenges remained such as the presence of asbestos-containing material throughout the country’s infrastructure, the environmental pollution caused by illegal dumping of toxic debris and the asbestos contamination of products being sold throughout the country. See: Out of Sight, Out of Mind? The New Frontier of Asbestos in Aotearoa.

Victory for the Asbestos Bereaved

Mar 11, 2026

Last month, Rome’s Appeal Court ordered the Ministry of Defense (MoD) to pay compensation to the children of Marshal Leopoldo Di Vico, who had served in the Italian army from 1978 to 2013 as a mechanic and maintainer of armored vehicles. As a result of routine occupational asbestos exposures, he died in 2015 after a long illness. The children Giuseppe and Mario were each awarded a lump sum of €100,000 (US$115,640) and a lifetime monthly allowance of €800 (US$925). See: Amianto nell'esercito: indennizzo da 100mila euro ciascuno per i figli di un maresciallo [Asbestos in the army: compensation of 100 thousand euros each for the children of a marshal].

No More Asbestos in Schools!

Mar 11, 2026

It was announced on February 26, 2026 by the Jeonbuk Office of Education, South Korea that 100% of asbestos-containing material had been removed from school buildings in Jeonbuk. As a result, all of city’s public kindergartens and schools were asbestos-free. Work began in 2014 with an asbestos survey of all 897 schools by the Jeonbuk Office of Education; the asbestos map produced revealed a total of 1,653,681 square meters of contaminated material. According to Kim Jong-ki, head of the facilities department: “The complete removal of asbestos, a carcinogen, has created conditions for students’ right to health to be greatly improved…” See: 전북교육청, 학교 석면 '제로' 선언 [Jeonbuk Office of Education declares ‘zero’ asbestos in schools].

Recall after Asbestos Discovery

Mar 9, 2026

Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) issued an alert on February 25, 2026 after a toy sold under the My Living brand name was found to be contaminated with tremolite asbestos. My Living World Worm World Kit, had been available at retail outlets and from online platforms including Amazon. According to the CCPC: “The product may present a health risk …” The supplier – Scientific Laboratory Supplies Limited (SLS Ltd) – issued a voluntary nationwide recall of the product. See: Urgent recall after asbestos found in children's toy sold across Ireland.

Toxic Talc

Mar 9, 2026

The commentary cited below was uploaded to a prominent Tunisian online news outlet “frequently cited as a key source for economic and financial updates”: Business News Tunisia. The text consisted of an analysis of Facebook warnings regarding the carcinogenic hazard posed by using Johnson & Johnson’s iconic baby powder. After exploring key issues involved and presenting evidence from international sources, the author concluded: “the warnings circulating on social media are not unfounded; potential risks have been identified and acknowledged by international scientific bodies.” See: Poudre Johnson et cancer : risques reconnus et lourdes condamnations [Johnson's powder and cancer: acknowledged risks and severe penalties].

Asbestos in Scottish Schools

Mar 9, 2026

According to information from Edinburgh City Council released to The Scotsman newspaper, 90 schools and nurseries in the Scottish capital are still contaminated with asbestos. These buildings account for 75% of all the municipality’s educational infrastructure and include 14 nurseries, five high schools, three special education schools and many primary schools. The two types of asbestos found were chrysotile (white) and crocidolite (blue). A full list of the contaminated schools was provided. See: Exclusive: Edinburgh schools: Asbestos found in 90 schools and nurseries in Edinburgh – full list revealed.

Banjima Sue WA over Wittenoom

Mar 9, 2026

On February 25, 2026, the Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation launched a $1.5 billion claim against the West Australian Government over its failure to remediate more than three million tonnes of toxic asbestos waste created by years of asbestos mining in the Pilbara Region despite receiving over $70 billion in mining royalties. The waste left at the site of the derelict Wittenoom mine and the town where mine workers had lived has made this site so toxic that it was not only closed but also wiped off maps. See: ‘There's stories there that can never be told’: $70 billion in royalties, but WA Government still doing nothing over Wittenoom's asbestos legacy.

Recall of Toxic Toys

Mar 9, 2026

On February 23, 2026, the French Government recalled multiple children's figurines sold in various stores over fears the toys might contain asbestos. The announcement of this action appeared online on RappelConso, the French government website and database for alerts on dangerous or non-compliant consumer products; the alert warned consumers that “exposure to this material can pose a high health risk if the product is damaged and the stuffing leaks (particularly through inhalation).” Purchasers were given until April 13 to return the goods and claim their refunds. See: Des jouets vendus chez Action rappelés dans toute la France, ils pourraient contenir de l'amiante [Toys sold at Action recalled throughout France, they may contain asbestos].

Fire Doors Recalled

Mar 9, 2026

Last month, the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment released news that the Firemex company had issued a voluntary recall of fire doors due to suspected asbestos contamination. Building owners were advised to follow their Asbestos Management Plan and “treat affected doors as potentially containing asbestos until testing confirms otherwise.” Queries relating to these doors should be referred to the Firemex company; enquiries are ongoing with foreign suppliers regarding this issue. See: Voluntary recall of potentially asbestos impacted fire doors sold by Firemex.

Recall of Rangoli Colour Product

Mar 4, 2026

On February 24, 2026 Product Safety New Zealand issued a recall for packets of Rangoli Colour [identifier number 645759210685] which had been sold at DH Supermarket Flatbush and DH Supermarket Papatoetoe in South Auckland from October 15 until December 12, 2025. The material had been supplied by Farm Fresh Produce Limited. According to the official website, the government recall was taken due to suspected asbestos contamination. Rangoli is a traditional Indian art form which uses brightly colored sand-like powder, such as the material recalled, to create intricate Hindu patterns. See: Rangoli Colour – sold at DH Supermarkets.

Asbestos Contamination in Supply Chain

Mar 4, 2026

A February 21, 2026 article on a Chinese news portal detailed the current turmoil in The Netherlands caused by discoveries of the sale of asbestos-contaminated children’s products from multiple retailers. The article featured news of the recall of own-brand products as well as pictures of recalled items sold by the iconic Dutch department store HEMA. However, the author omitted any mention of the fact that the recalled goods had been made in China. See:【荷兰】现石棉，越来越多荷兰商店召回儿童沙 [[Netherlands] Asbestos discovered, more and more Dutch stores recall children's sand].

Asbestos Hazard to Retail Staff

Mar 4, 2026

As more and more children’s products were recalled in the Netherlands due to asbestos contamination, experts raised the alarm over the hazard posed by returning potentially toxic material to retail outlets. Trade union official Daniëlle Wiek pointed out: “It is not acceptable that companies that have sold asbestos-containing play sand now off-load the problem to their employees by having them accept return products without specific instructions or protection… Shop employees are not trained to deal with asbestos. That is specialist work.” See: Zorgen over terugroepacties van speelzand: ‘Behandel het als asbesthoudend afval’ [Concerns about recalls of play sand: ‘Treat it as asbestos-containing waste’].

More Asbestos Recalls

Mar 4, 2026

The lengthy article in the February 23, 2026 issue of the Sun newspaper detailed the latest children’s product – The Kids Create Sand Art Kit – recalled in the UK due to asbestos contamination and provided an extensive list of other toys withdrawn from sale by the Office for Product and Safety Standards. Customers who had purchased recalled items were advised to package them in heavy-duty bags and return them “to the place of purchase for redress.” See: ASBESTOS ALERT. More toys containing cancer-causing asbestos are recalled in UK as parents urged to chuck them away ‘in heavy-duty bag.’

New Recalls of Toxic Toys

Mar 4, 2026

Awareness of asbestos contamination of children’s toys grew in Italy last month with the article cited below dated February 22 reporting that several products had been withdrawn from the market because they contained traces of asbestos. Amongst the toxic toys named were Stretch Squad characters and the 4-piece Stretch Squad characters set produced by HTI. They had been sold from April 22, 2024 until February 13, 2026 at multiple outlets. See: Amianto nei giochi per bambini in Italia: quali sono quelli ritirati dal mercato e in quali negozi si trovano [Asbestos in children's toys in Italy: which ones have been withdrawn from the market and in which stores can they be found].

Updated Data: Asbestos Compensation

Mar 4, 2026

According to an announcement on February 20, 2026 by the Central Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, South Korea, the right to government benefits for asbestos exposures had been recognized in 21 new cases, bringing the total number of successful compensation claims to 8,758 under provisions of the Asbestos Damage Relief Act (2011). In addition, the “damage suffered by four deceased individuals who had not been recognized as victims while alive, based on applications submitted by their bereaved families” was recognized. See: 21 More Asbestos Victims Recognized...Total Now 8,758.

Post-Disaster Asbestos Alert

Mar 2, 2026

The commentary cited below – uploaded on February 22, 2026 – was written by Dr. Aseni Wickramatillake, Director of Sri Lanka’s Centre for Occupational Safety and Health. The author highlighted public health issues involved in reconstruction work in the aftermath of the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah in December 2025. Among the problems mentioned was the use of asbestos-containing building products in the repair and/or construction of school buildings. “Schools are,” she wrote “spaces of prolonged, daily exposure making the continued presence of asbestos roofing especially troubling from both a health and ethical standpoint.” See: Rebuilding schools, repeating risks: Why Sri Lanka must act now on asbestos.