News Archive

Italy’s Supreme Court brought to a close litigation over the 2009 asbestos death of a railway worker, by confirming the conviction of the State Railways for having failed to prevent toxic workplace conditions which resulted in the deceased contracting mesothelioma. Between 1969 and 1971, the maintenance worker had been exposed to asbestos on railway engines, pipes and electrical systems without any protective equipment or clothing. See: Foggia: morì nel 2009 per esposizione all’amianto, risarcimento per i familiari di un ferroviere dell’officina grandi riparazioni [Foggia: died in 2009 from exposure to asbestos, compensation for the family of railway major repair workshop worker].

More Toy Recalls in EU!

Jun 24, 2026

Last week, the European Commission uploaded notifications to the Safety Gate website recalling three groups of toys which contained asbestos. Each of the items was made in China. They were:

Invincible Heroes Stretchy Toys [Alert number: SR/01814/26];
Stretch Squad Sand-filled figurine toys [Alert number: SR/01813/26];
Funkee Monkee hairdo toy from ORB Toys [Alert number: SR/01852/26].

The amount of asbestos contamination found was up to 3.23% by weight.

Asbestos at Nuclear Power Station

Jun 24, 2026

After a report of an asbestos incident at Scotland’s Torness Nuclear Power Station in March 2026, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) launched an investigation to ascertain whether workers were exposed to asbestos in a valve within the steam system. The ONR’s report concluded: “the material had been removed from a similar valve in 2024 but this had not been recorded, meaning those carrying out more recent work did not know of the risks.” The workers involved in this incident will be routinely monitored. See: Companies failed to protect Torness workers from asbestos – watchdog.

Victim’s Verdict in Bilboa

Jun 24, 2026

An appeal against an asbestos conviction by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) – “a Spanish multinational financial services company headquartered in Bilbao, with offices in Madrid” – was rejected by Social Court No. 5 of Bilbao. As a result, the ruling by the National Institute of Social Security that recognized the pleural cancer contracted by a former BBVA employee as a professional illness will stand. The claimant had worked for the company from 1960 until 1999. He was diagnosed with pleural sarcomatoid mesothelioma in April 2023 and died on July 24, 2025. See: Justice rejects BBVA's appeal and confirms a pleural cancer of a former employee as professional.

Asbestos Eradication Program: Update

Jun 24, 2026

Work is progressing under Croatia’s Waste Management Program to remediate the toxic asbestos legacy on the Vranjic peninsula. Decontamination work began in May, 2026 to remove ~60,000 cubic meters of solid waste in the coastal area of Kosice in Vranjic. The contaminated material was created by decades of production at the Salonit asbestos-cement factory. At a press conference last week, government officials said the eradication work would be completed by the end of 2027. See: By the end of 2027, around 60,000 cubic meters of asbestos waste will be cleaned in Vranjic.

OVAM’s Asbestos Certificate Scheme

Jun 24, 2026

In the four years since asbestos certificates for house sales or transfers for structures built before 2011 became mandatory in Flanders, 500,000 certificates have been issued. Considering that by January 1, 2032 all property owners in Flanders will be required to have these certificates and that there are more than 2.3 million buildings to be inventoried, much work remains to be done. A spokesperson for the Public Waste Agency of Flanders (OVAM) expressed the agency’s concern about the existence of a “knowledge gap.” See: Vlaanderen rondt de kaap van 500 000 asbestattesten, maar 2,3 miljoen woningen blijven nog achter [Flanders passes the milestone of 500,000 asbestos certificates, but 2.3 million homes are still lagging behind].

Historic Victims’ Victory!

Jun 23, 2026

Last week, the Belgian Government approved plans to end the immunity from prosecution which had been enjoyed by asbestos defendants for decades. According to Flemish politician and campaigner Valerie Van Peel: “From now on, victims receiving compensation through the asbestos fund can also take legal action to hold companies like Eternit accountable… today, all those victims are finally getting their basic right back: the right to seek justice against the major asbestos producers, who continued to produce asbestos for years while knowing how deadly it was.” See: Le gouvernement met fin à l’immunité des entreprises de l’amiante: “Une injustice historique” [The government ends the immunity of asbestos companies: “A historic injustice”].

Eternit: Update

Jun 23, 2026

Brazil’s acknowledged asbestos giant – Eternit, SA – did everything possible to profit from the asbestos sector whilst, at the same time, escape liabilities for the injuries caused. Two years after emerging from corporate bankruptcy protection, the company announced its relocation from its prestigious São Paulo headquarters to Hortolândia, a city 80 miles away in the interior of São Paulo State. According to the company, this move substantiated Eternit’s new focus on the lucrative industrialized construction market and away from the labor intensive construction sector. See: Eternit. De mudança da Faria Lima, Eternit quer se repaginar e deixar amianto no passado [Eternit. Moving from Faria Lima, Eternit wants to reinvent itself and leave asbestos in the past].

Asbestos Crimes and Punishment

Jun 23, 2026

On June 19, 2026, the Dutch Labor Inspectorate issued a financial penalty totaling €93,740 (US$107,400) to three asbestos companies which had not complied with mandatory regulations at construction worksites. For failing to file an asbestos removal certificate for work and a health and safety plan, one offender was fined €40,740. The other two parties received penalties of €26,500 each for non-asbestos related occupational safety code infringements. See: 3 bedrijven krijgen last onder dwangsom voor overtredingen bij werken met asbest [3 companies receive a penalty payment order for violations when working with asbestos].

Mesothelioma Guidelines: Update

Jun 23, 2026

Guidelines published this month (June 2026) by a committee of experts commissioned by Australia’s Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute (ADDRI), updated advice given in 2013 for the treatment of patients with pleural mesothelioma, the signature cancer associated with asbestos exposure. In light of new academic literature and medical developments, the coauthors considered innovative approaches “in histological and radiological diagnosis, shifts in surgical practice and the identification of novel therapies … (for) the care of patients with mesothelioma,” to inform their recommendations for Australian clinicians. See: 2026 Guidelines and Recommendations for the Management of Pleural Mesothelioma in Australia.

Asbestos in Parliament

Jun 23, 2026

In a press release on June 19, 2026 by the UK’s National Audit Office (NAO), the “high levels of asbestos” in Parliament were listed as one of the serious risks – alongside failing mechanical/electrical systems and fire risks – as “a primary driver necessitating urgent restoration” of the Palace of Westminster. In the summary of this complex and lengthy report, it was noted that the asbestos-containing products were interlaced with the fabric of the building and its systems making access difficult and increasing the cost of the eradication program. See: NAO assesses progress of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Programme.

Mesothelioma Mortality Increasing

Jun 23, 2026

The June 12, 2026 blog cited below was a concise and intelligible explanation of a rather complex epidemiological paper that had been uploaded the previous day to the Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (see: Geographic, Temporal, and Sex-Specific Trends in Mesothelioma Burden in the United States, 1990–2023). The simplified account explained that although the US incidence of mesothelioma mortality was decreasing, the number of deaths was increasing. The reason for this was the growth and aging of the US population, with some areas and cohorts more affected than others. See: Why Asbestos Is Killing More Americans Than Ever.

Confirmation of Asbestos Problem

Jun 17, 2026

Recent reports from Portugal revealed that asbestos-containing material was still present in ~1,400 public buildings, including schools, hospitals and military facilities. Asbestos was present in many homes built in Portugal before the 2005 ban was introduced; this contamination negatively affects property sales to foreign investors. According to the Natasha Donn, the author of the text cited below: “Anyone purchasing an older Portuguese property is advised to include checks for potentially hazardous materials before carrying out major renovation work.” See: Banned asbestos still found in almost 1,400 public buildings across Portugal.

A Deadly Legacy

Jun 17, 2026

Like many other countries, the long-tail asbestos legacy in Germany continues to claim lives decades after strict prohibitions were introduced. According to the article cited below: “Asbestos caused 65% of Germany's 1,900 occupational deaths in 2024….The figures underscore a persistent workplace safety challenge that resurfaces every time aging infrastructure undergoes renovation.” The presence of deteriorating asbestos material within the national infrastructure remains an ongoing challenge for administrators and workers. See: Asbestos Legacy Lingers: 65% of German Occupational Deaths Linked to Banned Material as Railway Faces Years-Long Cleanup.

Asbestos in Schools

Jun 17, 2026

According to information disclosed by Belgian MP Foud Ahidar on June 11, 2026, 1,062 school buildings in the Brussels Region were contaminated with asbestos as per the last audit carried out in 2017. The controversial politician obtained this information from the office of the State Secretary for the Environment and Climate Ans Persoons; asked about more recent information, the Secretary of State told Parliament that the Brussels Region did not have an updated asbestos census of Brussels schools. See: “Une situation particulièrement préoccupante”: Plus de 1.000 bâtiments scolaires bruxellois contiendraient encore de l'amiante [“A particularly worrying situation”: More than 1,000 school buildings in Brussels are believed to still contain asbestos].

Johnson & Johnson Guilty, Again!

Jun 17, 2026

Last week, a Los Angeles jury convicted Johnson & Johnson (J&J) of negligence over the mesothelioma death in 2024 of Maria Lozano. The company was ordered to pay compensation of $32 million to her family. From the early 1970s, the deceased had been a regular user of J&J’s asbestos-contaminated talc-based baby powder. The family’s lawyer alleged that “the company failed to adequately warn consumers about the dangers associated with asbestos-contaminated talc despite longstanding knowledge of the risks.” The jury agreed. See: Johnson & Johnson Hit with $32 Million Verdict in Los Angeles Asbestos Trial.

Asbestos Eradication Program

Jun 17, 2026

Last week, the authorities in Sunchang County in North Jeolla Province, South Korea announced that funds for the removal, replacement and disposal of asbestos roofing from 400 buildings including private homes and non-domestic structures had been allocated for this financial year. Applications must be submitted by October 2026 and subsidies of up to 10 million won (US$ 6,600) per household were available, although vulnerable groups can receive full support. See: “올핸 폐슬레이트 수거의 해”...순창군 “석면없애 건강한 우리집을”[“This Year is the Year of Waste Slate Collection”... Sunchang County: “Remove Asbestos for a Healthy Home”].

Mesothelioma Epidemiology: Update

Jun 17, 2026

According to a paper published on June 11, 2026 on the website of the Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, “mesothelioma deaths and diagnoses continue to rise in the United States despite decades of asbestos regulation and reduced industrial use…” The incidence of this cancer varied across the country and in 18+ states there was an increase in female incidence and mortality. Unfortunately, survival rates remain low. The states which were the worst affected were those with shipbuilding, mining and high legacy asbestos exposures. According to co-lead author Kyle Edwards “mesothelioma remains a substantial public health problem.” See: Geographic, Temporal, and Sex-Specific Trends in Mesothelioma Burden in the United States, 1990–2023.

Progress in Catalonia?

Jun 15, 2026

MPs attending a plenary session this month (June 2026) of the Parliament of Catalonia will consider draft legislation calling for the eradication of the asbestos hazard from the built environment throughout the territory, home to 8 million people. If adopted, the law will: unify fragmented local regulations, ensuring uniform, safe removal processes in 947 Catalan municipalities; will set a 2028 deadline for the decontamination of all public buildings; and a 2030 deadline for asbestos removal from all structures. See: The Parliament will submit to a vote next week the law to eliminate asbestos in Catalonia.

Medical Program in South Chungcheong

Jun 15, 2026

From June 11 to 23, 2026, staff from the Asbestos Environmental Health Center of the Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital will conduct a health impact survey on residents from towns near abandoned asbestos mines in Boryeong and Cheongyang. Participants will complete questionnaires, receive medical check-ups, have chest X-rays and speak to specialist consultants. If there are any worrying findings, further examinations will be held and more sophisticated medical tests will be carried out. See: 보령·청양 폐석면광산 인근주민 석면건강영향조사 실시 [Asbestos Health Impact Survey Conducted on Residents Near Abandoned Asbestos Mines in Boryeong and Cheongyang].

Paying for Asbestos Removal in Scotland

Jun 15, 2026

The cost for the removal of asbestos from three former Scottish high schools will run into millions of pounds, according to a statement released on June 9, 2026 by the Scottish Borders Council. Commenting on the news, Council Director John Curry said: “For Galashiels I think the figure for asbestos removal is £1.6m and for Peebles it is around the same amount, with £1m alone for the dining hall and assembly hall, and that’s largely down to the nature of the asbestos and how it was encapsulated in the building, and the way we needed to remove that and demolish it safely.” See: Borders Council face millions of pounds bill for school asbestos removal.

Stricter EU Regulations Implemented

Jun 15, 2026

On May 29, 2026, Portugal’s Decree-Law No. 109/2026 transposed into national law the European Directive 2023/2668. The purpose of these pieces of legislation was to “strengthen the protection of workers against occupational risks of asbestos exposure.” According to one Portuguese commentator the new law “marks a new stage in the management of asbestos risk in Portugal.” Its core provisions included: lowering allowable exposure limits, mandating specialized training for workers in the demolition or removal sectors, establishing occupational health surveillance schemes and setting standards for the use of up-to-date equipment. See: Decreto-Lei n.º 109/2026, de 29 de maio.

Good News from Tuscany!

Jun 15, 2026

An article published on June 10, 2026 reported news of a legal victory for a non-commissioned officer from Italy’s Air Force who had served his country from 1984 until 2022. In his ruling, Labor Judge Giuseppe Grosso from the Grosseto Court ordered the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to pay compensation to the former maintenance technician who contracted lung cancer as a result of workplace asbestos exposures experienced during his military service. In addition to economic and welfare benefits, the MoD was ordered to pay the costs of the technical consultancy and part of the legal costs incurred by the applicant. See: Grosseto, l’amianto gli provoca un tumore: ex militare vince contro lo Stato [Grosseto, former military man with asbestos-caused cancer wins against the State].

Another Asbestos Recall!

Jun 15, 2026

On June 11, 2026, the UK’s Office of Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) issued a recall for toxic doorstops exported from China which were found to be contaminated with asbestos. The items, in the shape of seasonal characters such as Rowan the Robin for Christmas and a pumpkin for Halloween, had been sold at Dunelm stores from November 2024 onwards. According to the OPSS: “The products present a risk to health as the sand inside the doorstops may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.” Other Dunelm doorstops were recalled for the same reason on May 7, 2026; they had been on sale in Dunelm stores between January 2019 and February 2026. See: Product Recall: Dunelm Seasonal Doorstops (2606-0136).

Lung Cancer Research: Update

Jun 12, 2026

The timely article cited below reviewed findings recently published by Australian and UK scientists about medical research regarding the long-term health effects of asbestos exposures. A study by a team at Australia’s Curtin University, which was published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, showed that “current lung cancer screening efforts often overlook people exposed to asbestos. This gap puts many at risk of late diagnoses and poorer outcomes.” New lung cancer data substantiated claims that the number of asbestos-related lung cancer deaths had been “greatly” underestimated in the UK. See: International research surge highlights asbestos health crisis.