News Archive

On April 10, 2026, the EU Safety Gate Alert scheme recalled more stretchable toys – Alert number: SR/01122/26 – from the market due to asbestos contamination. The sand filled stretchable figurine toys were made and exported from China and were sold in France by Ferry Jouets and CICABOOM. Consumers were warned that: “The toy could rupture and the filling of the inside could come out. The sand inside contains asbestos. Asbestos could cause cancer.” The EU alert was based on a French recall. See: Safety Gate: the EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products [search for asbestos].

Office Asbestos Exposures

Apr 22, 2026

The extent of asbestos contamination at a major federal office building in Montreal – the Guy Favreau Complex – has now become a hot button issued after it was revealed that a former worker had contracted an asbestos-related disease. The information formerly distributed about the level of contamination at the 1984-built 12-story office building suggested that the asbestos was confined to the basement. According to trade union representatives, however, information recently obtained says asbestos-containing material was present throughout the building. See: Lawyers union sounds alarm over illness tied to asbestos.

Asbestos in Schools

Apr 22, 2026

An official complaint is being progressed with the Public Prosecutor in Pavia, Italy over asbestos contamination of the Golgi High School in the city of Broni in the Lombardy region. Following an independent investigation, evidence was provided to the Prosecutor which revealed that chrysotile (white) asbestos fibers had been found not only in the elevator shaft but also in classrooms and communal areas. See: Liceo Golgi chiuso per amianto: «Tracce anche al piano terra e vicino le aule» [Golgi High School closed due to asbestos: “Traces also on the ground floor and near the classrooms].

Landmark Decision for TMB Worker

Apr 22, 2026

Earlier this month, Spain’s Supreme Court issued a victim’s verdict when it rejected an appeal, by the company which runs Barcelona public transport system [the Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB)], against a ruling that supported an asbestos claim brought by former TMB mechanic Jordi Otix Jordi Ribalaygue. The 71-year old plaintiff is suffering from asbestosis, pleural plaques and pulmonary emphysema as a result of occupational asbestos exposures he experienced over decades at TMB’s Vilapicina workshop. See: El Supremo confirma que un extrabajador del metro de Barcelona sufre una incapacidad total por el amianto [The Supreme Court confirms that a former Barcelona metro worker suffers total disability due to asbestos].

Regulator Calls for European Action

Apr 22, 2026

Another timely feature by Richard Clevers on the asbestos furore in the Netherlands caused by the sale of contaminated children’s sand, playsets and toys. Following an investigation, the national regulator (NVWA) recommended that “toys containing sand must henceforth be tested for asbestos.” Clevers urged the European authorities to address this issue by enforcing standardized testing protocols for importers and manufacturers of all sand-containing products. See: NVWA: Maatregelen nodig tegen speelgoed met hoge concentratie asbest, controleer alles waar zand in zit [NVWA: Measures needed against toys with high concentrations of asbestos, check everything containing sand].

Asbestos Audit

Apr 22, 2026

It has been estimated that 16,000 building in Valencia, Spain are contaminated with asbestos. Earlier this month, it was announced that as the first step in plans by the Valencia City Council to eradicate the asbestos hazard from the built environment, a €22,500 (US$26,500) municipal contract for the preparation of a city-wide asbestos census was awarded to the environmental certification company Bureau Veritas. The census must include “the location of the facilities and sites suspected of containing asbestos materials throughout the municipal, urban and rural area, both publicly and privately owned.” See: El Ayuntamiento adjudica la elaboración de un censo para eliminar el amianto de todos los edificios de la ciudad [The City Council awards the preparation of a census to remove asbestos from all buildings in the city].

Eradicating Asbestos Cancer

Apr 20, 2026

A paper published last month in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health by 22 Italian researchers considered the effect of the 1992 Italian asbestos ban on the national incidence of the signature asbestos cancer: mesothelioma. It was estimated that the prohibitions resulted in up to 21,981 fewer cases of mesothelioma. The co-authors recommended that: “Countries that still use asbestos should consider evidence of the effects of asbestos bans, as well as the relationship between trends in mesothelioma cases and changing patterns of asbestos exposure.” See: Modelled effect on mesothelioma mortality of the asbestos ban in Italy and the subsequent phases of exposure.

Who Gets Mesothelioma?

Apr 20, 2026

A paper published in the peer-reviewed journal JCO Precision Oncology on April 7, 2026 examined the general consensus that diffuse pleural mesothelioma was a cancer that affected mostly older people. The study by researchers at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in New York reported an increase of mesothelioma in women patients under 50. The case of Reicy Bobadilla, MD, a 43-year old orthopedic surgeon from the Dominican Republic, was discussed. See: What to know about mesothelioma in younger patients.

Toxic Talc!

Apr 20, 2026

On April 10, 2026, it was reported that members of the Mesothelioma, Asbestos Disease, Patients and Families Association submitted a request to cosmetics manufacturer Shiseido and the Japanese Government for research into the asbestos contamination of cosmetics. This action was spurred after a cosmetics’ salesperson died from the asbestos cancer mesothelioma. She was 68 when she died in 2024. See: アスベスト実態調査要望化粧品販売員が「アスベスト原因で中皮腫発症の可能性高い」労災認定をめぐり [Request for Asbestos Investigation: Cosmetics Salesperson Claims High Probability of Developing Mesothelioma Due to Asbestos Exposure, Regarding Work-Related Accident Recognition].

Asbestos Warnings!

Apr 20, 2026

Asbestos alerts were issued to consumers in Poland on February 17 and March 3, 2026 by European retailers which had sold toys contaminated with asbestos (see: Toy Alert. “Discontinue use immediately.”). The link below detailed an urgent warning by Action, a non-food discount retailer in Germany with 500+ stores, regarding Stretch Squad figures. These toys were sold from April 22, 2024 until February 13, 2026 and may contain trace amounts of asbestos. See: Action wycofuje popularne zabawki. Powód moze zaniepokoic rodziców [Action Recalls Popular Toys. Reason May Concern Parents].

Asbestos Eradication in Urban Center

Apr 20, 2026

The speed of urban renewal projects in Istanbul created an environmental problem with the demolition of unremediated buildings. New data released by Beşiktaş Municipality, a major business, university and tourist area on the European side of the city, confirmed that 10,160 kilograms of asbestos-containing materials from 127 buildings throughout the district had been identified, eradicated and disposed of in 2025. According to Beşiktaş officials, rigorous efforts will continue to create a safer and healthier environment for all citizens. See: Beşiktaş'ta Asbest Tehlikesi: 10 Ton Kanserojen Malzeme Bertaraf Edildi [Asbestos Hazard in Beşiktaş: 10 Tons of Carcinogenic Material Disposed Of].

Analytical Results from Toy Testing

Apr 20, 2026

The article cited below reported disturbing results from the testing of a number of children’s products by analysts working for Stiftung Warentest, a German consumer organisation and foundation. The most heavily contaminated product was dark blue decorative sand exported from China and sold by the German company Heku. It contained two types of asbestos: tremolite (up to 5%) and chrysotile. Five other sand products were also found to contain tremolite. See: Stiftung Warentest warnt: Asbest in Spielsand – Gefahr für Kinder [Stiftung Warentest warns: Asbestos in play sand – danger for children].

Asbestos Legacy in Limpopo

Apr 17, 2026

Decades after asbestos mining operations ceased in South Africa’s Limpopo Province, in the north of the country, the health of residents remains endangered by asbestos contamination of local rivers and streams. Asbestos fibers from soil in and around the derelict mines contaminate run-off water and flow into the water sources, especially after heavy rains, in at-risk areas like Mafefe, outside of Lebowakgomo township. According to Mafefe residents “the water now looks cloudy in places or carries visible particles after storms.” See: Silent Killer in the Streams: Limpopo Village Exposed to Asbestos Contamination.

Poznan Project: Update

Apr 17, 2026

The April 3, 2026 article cited below reported residents’ concerns regarding the working practices of operatives undertaking renovation work at the Przyjazni Housing Estate in Poznan, Poland. According to the report, there was a visible lack of protective clothing and equipment and little monitoring by specialist supervisors. See: Jest skrajnie niebezpieczny i rakotwórczy. Azbest w Poznaniu nie zostal poprawnie zabezpieczony? "Pyl moze rozsiewac sie po osiedlu" [It’s extremely dangerous and carcinogenic. Was asbestos in Poznan not properly secured? “Dust can spread throughout the neighborhood”].

Asbestos Stops Work

Apr 17, 2026

The Swedish real estate company Signalisten announced that renovation work would be postponed on a building on Hagalundsgatan, a residential street in Solna, Stockholm, due to “an extensive discovery of asbestos.” Technical investigations and sampling carried out prior to the start of renovation work had underestimated the scale of the contamination. Asbestos removal work will be needed throughout the building. See: Signalisten avbryter delar av entreprenad på grund av asbest [Signalisten cancels parts of construction due to asbestos].

Illegal Asbestos Sales

Apr 17, 2026

In the article cited below it was reported that chrysotile (white) asbestos stones were being sold by a “specialist alternative shop” in Lillestrøm, Noway owned by Tom Ole Holth who claimed that they promote “honesty and sincerity” despite national and EU prohibitions. When contacted by the reporter, a spokesperson for the Norwegian Environment Agency confirmed that chrysotile was a prohibited substance under EU regulation REACH Annex XVII item 28. See: Selger forbudt, kreftfremkallende stoff over disk: – Finnes ikke farlig [Selling banned, carcinogenic substance over the counter: – Not found dangerous].

Scottish Asbestos Ruling

Apr 17, 2026

In a ruling by Lord Harrower in the Outer House of the Court of Session, Scotland the Court apportioned liability for mesothelioma contracted by a 56-year old retired labourer between two former employers. MCM Building & Civil Engineering Construction Ltd was ordered to pay 0.01% of the damages while Pyramid Joinery & Construction Ltd was ordered to pay 99.908%. The claimant had been negligently exposed to asbestos by both defenders but the exposure experienced between 1999 and 2003 during employment by the second defender (Pyramid) was substantially more than that during the 1.5-day period of exposure caused by the first defender. See: Outer House splits liability for asbestos damages between two employers by nearly 99.9 to 0.1 percent ratio.

Mesothelioma Research: Update

Apr 17, 2026

A paper published on March 28, 2026 by Danish and Norwegian researchers detailed their investigation of the use of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) as a “diagnostic biomarker to distinguish pleural mesothelioma (PM) from non-neoplastic mesothelial cells (NNMC) in both cytology and histology specimens.” They concluded that CHK1 immunohistochemical assessment was useful in some PM cases but qualified their findings saying further research was recommended. See: Checkpoint Kinase 1 Protein (CHK1) as a Diagnostic Marker for Pleural Mesothelioma.

Toxic Toy Recalls

Apr 15, 2026

Last month, Malta joined the list of European nations which recalled from sale asbestos-contaminated children’s products in 2026. In mid-March, the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority alerted the public to the dangers posed by toys and similar products containing kinetic sand or decorative sand. Among the recalled products were: HTI Toys – Stretcherz Stretch Squad, Stretcherz Slammerz 4 Pack, Stretcherz Stretch Squad Toys Assorted Figures 4 Pack; Addo Play Ltd – Out to Impress Sand Art Creations, Out to Impress Creative Candles, Paw Patrol Sand Art Pictures; Paw Patrol Bumper Craft Collection; and Orb Funkee Sand Toys. See: Potentially Dangerous Toys Removed from the Market.

Government Remediation Grant

Apr 15, 2026

On March 31, 2026 Summer Lee, a Democratic member of the US House of Representatives, presented a check for just under $1.1 million to officials from the Monroeville Municipal Authority, Pennsylvania. The funds, which were part of the federal Community Project Funding, were for the replacement of ~10,000 feet of asbestos-cement water pipes, the majority of which were installed in the 1980s or before. According to the article cited below, the remediation work was required to improve safety, “reduce the risk of pipe failures and address health concerns tied to deteriorating infrastructure.” See: Monroeville receives $1 million to replace aging asbestos-cement water lines.

Satellite Mapping of Asbestos Roofing

Apr 15, 2026

A Rome-based consortium – called e-Geos – which secured a prestigious contract from Italy’s Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security plans to use cutting edge technology to update a national audit of asbestos-containing roofing throughout the country. According to e-Geos, “very high resolution satellite images and advanced classification techniques based on Artificial Intelligence algorithms” will allow it to update the national census of asbestos roofing on public and private buildings. See: Amianto, al via la mappatura da satellite sul territorio Italiano [Asbestos in Italy: Satellite mapping begins].

Seoul Asbestos Hazard: Update

Apr 15, 2026

The 50-year-old National Assembly building of the South Korean government contains asbestos which, officials say, is safe under normal conditions. But in exceptional circumstances, the hazard to building users increases. One example was disruption which took place during emergency martial law in December 2024. It is suspected that vibrations caused by the take-off of a military helicopter increased airborne levels of asbestos within the building. Medical experts and campaigners are calling for the immediate commencement of phased removal of asbestos from the building. See: [단독] 오래 상주할수록 위험…전문가들 “무석면 건축물로” [오래된 국회] [Exclusive. The longer you stay, the more dangerous it is… Experts call for “asbestos-free buildings” [Old National Assembly]].

Asbestos in Schools

Apr 15, 2026

On April 1, 2026, delegates to the four-day National Education Union (NEU) conference in Brighton were warned of the “ticking time bomb” of widespread asbestos contamination of the UK’s educational infrastructure. According to NEU executive member Sarah Vaughan since 2000, more than 300 teaching professionals died from the asbestos cancer mesothelioma. Unfortunately, she said “there is still no national removal plan and the government’s own survey doesn’t even record where asbestos is.” See: Asbestos is ‘ticking time bomb’ set to kill hundreds of thousands, NEU hears.

Asbestos Hazard in Ageing Buildings

Apr 15, 2026

An article uploaded on March 28, 2026 to the news portal of the Malaysian National News Agency highlighted the ongoing threat posed by the presence of deteriorating asbestos-containing products within the ageing Malaysian infrastructure. Having considered the problems caused by the use of multiple toxic products, Associate Professor Dr Mohammad Ashraf Abdul Rahman said: “Asbestos ceilings were widely used in the past due to their low cost, but they contain microscopic fibres that can be released into the air. When inhaled, they can cause serious illnesses such as asbestosis and lung cancer.” See: Ageing Buildings: A Silent Health and Safety Threat.

Call for Asbestos Ban

Apr 13, 2026

On April 2, 2026, officials from 44 Malaysian groups – including trade unions, labor federations, consumer organizations, environmental activists and other civil society entities – called on the Government to take immediate action to finalize national prohibitions on all asbestos use despite pressure from commercial lobbying interests representing asbestos vested interests. The manifesto’s conclusion was categorical: “Our fate and our health must be decided by Malaysians, for Malaysians. Leave no room for the asbestos industry to dictate our future.” See: Malaysia’s Public Health under Threat: Groups Warn vs. Foreign Asbestos Industry Hijacking National Phase-out.