News Archive

It was announced on October 16, 2026 that as a result of a collaboration of the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine, Ukraine’s Ministry of Health and the Japanese Government, a new facility had been opened in Ukraine which had a transmission electron microscopy system that could detect asbestos contamination. The results of tests at the laboratory would “identify asbestos-containing materials at an early stage, assess associated risks, and inform decisions on safe demolition practices, the sorting, transportation, and disposal of contaminated debris, and determine whether other debris materials can be safely recycled.” See: Japan and UNDP open Ukraine’s first national laboratory for asbestos detection.

Asbestos Alert!

Oct 19, 2026

The case study referenced in the citation below detailed purchases from one of the world’s largest e-commerce platforms in November 2025 of items described as heat-resistant gloves for indoor and outdoor use. The gloves, which were made in China, were acquired by two independent purchasers in Italy at a cost of ~€14 (US$16) a pair. Analyses conducted by electron microscopy confirmed that the gloves “were made almost entirely of chrysotile asbestos.” There were no warning labels either on the packaging or online about the presence of asbestos. See: Bought Online for 14 Euros: Lab Tests Confirm Asbestos in Gloves Sold Across Borders.

Victims’ Verdict in Bahia!

Oct 19, 2026

On October 14, 2026 news was circulated about a landmark ruling, handed down by the Brazilian Labor Court, which sentenced Novelis do Brasil Ltda. – formerly owned by ALCAN (Aluminum Canada) – to pay to R$20 million (US$3.95m) for collective moral damages in a public civil action filed by the Labor Public Prosecutor's Office (MPT) over occupational asbestos exposures at the company's plant in Candeias, in the Salvador Metropolitan Region of Brazil. See: Novelis é condenada em R$20 milhões por expor trabalhadores ao amianto [Novelis fined R$20 million for exposing workers to asbestos].

Addressing a Toxic Legacy

Oct 19, 2026

An October 12, 2026 editorial highlighted the serious public health issues posed by asbestos in France 30 years after its use was banned. Due to the country’s deadly industrial and environmental asbestos legacy, strict regulations – such as those detailed in the “Asbestos Technical File” – were implemented to minimize occupational, domestic and environmental contamination. Despite these measures, however, the general public should, the author wrote, be vigilant; if asbestos was suspected, a specialist should always be contacted to undertake investigation or removal work. See: PARIS: Santé publique – L’amiante, un ennemi invisible et toujours present [PARIS: Public Health – Asbestos, an invisible and ever-present enemy].

Asbestos Nightmare in North Brabant

Oct 19, 2026

A fire which destroyed a shed in 2024 created an asbestos nightmare for the family which owned the structure. After years of argument and counterargument, the matter was considered on September 30, 2026 by Holland’s State Secretary Annet Bertram. Despite assurances by local authorities that all the asbestos removal work had been done properly, the owners presented a new report which confirmed the presence of asbestos “at all investigated locations that visually originated from the fire.” On October 14, a Ministry spokesperson said the matter was under investigation. See: Terrein ligt vol asbest maar Den Haag krijgt te horen dat alles volgens het boekje ging [The site is full of asbestos, but The Hague is told that everything was done by the book].

Asbestos Issues in the 21st Century

Oct 19, 2026

An article by Italian academics Alessandro Francesco Gualtieri and Alessandro Cavallo was uploaded on October 14, 2026 to the website of the peer-reviewed open-access medical journal Environmental Health. The authors argued that “Asbestos should no longer be viewed as a legacy hazard but as an evolving global risk sustained by economic globalization, regulatory inconsistency, and technological change.” Their thoughtful paper was insightful and wide-ranging considering multiple aspects such as evolving supply-chains, gaps in regulatory frameworks and changes in transnational purchasing practices. See: Banned here, sold elsewhere: globalization, e-commerce and the continuing circulation of asbestos-containing products.

Asbestos Contamination: Update

Oct 15, 2026

On October 9, 2026 questions were asked in the Madhya Pradesh [MP] State assembly, the State’s legislature, by assembly leader of the opposition Umang Singhar about the government’s inaction over widespread asbestos contamination in Kymore and the Kalhara areas of the Katni district. He demanded that: an independent pollution survey be commissioned, on-site medical screening be provided for local people and long-term treatment plans for injured residents be implemented. See: Congress raises asbestos pollution issue in MP’s Kymore, seeks independent probe.

Landmark Ruling in Paris

Oct 15, 2026

A precedent was set on September 17, 2026 when the Paris Court of Appeal ruled that the French railway network (SNCF) had failed in its safety obligations to its workers. As a result, 39 employees from the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region who were occupationally exposed to asbestos will be paid €8,000 (US$8,900) compensation for contracting asbestos anxiety. A spokesperson for the company said that an appeal to the Supreme Court was being considered. See: SNCF Réseau: la filiale condamnée pour avoir insuffisamment protégé ses salariés à l'amiante [SNCF Réseau: the subsidiary condemned for failing to adequately protect its employees from asbestos].

Queensland Asbestosis Precedent

Oct 15, 2026

A former plumber from Mackay, Queensland was awarded compensation of Australian $1.9 million (US$1.3m) for toxic conditions he experienced between the mid-1960s and 1990s whilst employed by the Queensland government's Mackay Harbour Board, now called the North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Limited. Medical experts for Robin Smith, who contracted asbestosis, told the court the claimant has a life expectancy of 5-6 years. This verdict set a precedent in Queensland. See: Dying Queensland man wins landmark $1.9m asbestosis compensation claim.

Updated Clinical Guidance

Oct 15, 2026

The project report cited below was uploaded this month (October 2026), to the website of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The multinational working group of medical experts which authored the paper was tasked with designing “clinical practice recommendations for the detection and monitoring of non-malignant asbestos-related diseases in asbestos-exposed populations within the Colombian healthcare system.” The researchers advised that Chest X-rays with ILO classification be used as the primary screening tool for at-risk cohorts. See: Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendations for Non-Malignant Asbestos-Related Diseases in an Asbestos-Exposed Population: An Evidence-to-Decision Framework.

New Sichuan Holiday Destination?

Oct 15, 2026

An article uploaded on October 11, 2026 to a digital online newspaper based in Hong Kong announced the development of a new holiday destination in China’s Sichuan Province. The popular tourist attraction and 57- room hotel were built around a former chrysotile (white) asbestos mining site. Key elements from the area’s industrial heritage remain in place including a huge gateway with the words “Sichuan Provincial Asbestos Mine” written at the top to remind visitors of the “mine’s golden era.” The site receives 45,000 visitors a year. See: Sichuan county transforms abandoned factories into hotels, cultural hubs.

Asbestos on the Beach

Oct 15, 2026

After asbestos contamination had been discovered at a popular beach in Adelaide earlier this month, a public alert was issued. According to information from Onkaparinga City Council, asbestos-containing materials were detected at the fisherman’s caves on Seaford beach during an investigation by personnel from SafeWork SA, “the official workplace health and safety regulator for the state of South Australia.” After an independent contractor confirmed the find, the Council erected signs advising people not to enter the caves. See: Asbestos detected at popular Adelaide beach.

NHRC’s Action on Asbestos

Oct 14, 2026

It was reported on October 10, 2026, that India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had ordered the Chief Secretary of the State of Madhya Pradesh to undertake work on a comprehensive report about the continuing asbestos contamination in the environs of an asbestos factory in Kymore. Production at the site that began in 1934, originally by the British asbestos conglomerate Turner & Newall, continues to this day under different ownership. There is widespread asbestos contamination at landfill sites as well as in public and private spaces. According to a statement by the NHRC Indians had “a right to life, health and a safe environment.” See: NHRC seeks report from MP govt on Kymore asbestos contamination.

Progress in Álava Province

Oct 14, 2026

On October 8, 2026, the Basque Parliament adopted an amendment that strengthened support for municipalities to ensure they had the resources needed to manage asbestos waste as per mandatory protocols. The approved text called on the regional government to “continue supporting local institutions, within the scope of their competencies, in achieving the objectives established in the Waste and Contaminated Soils Law for a circular economy, particularly regarding the preparation of censuses of facilities with asbestos and the planning of its removal.” See: The Basque Parliament asks the Government for measures to ensure proper management of asbestos waste.

State Authorities Launch Enquiry

Oct 14, 2026

News was uploaded on September 29, 2026, that the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) had announced an investigation into asbestos waste at a landfill site in Kalhara village, near the site of India’s first asbestos factory, set up in 1934 by the British asbestos multinational Turner & Newall Ltd. in Kymore, Madhya Pradesh State, India. The MPPCB’s decision followed several high-profile stories about the elevated incidence of asbestos-related diseases and conditions in Kymore where asbestos contamination remains a hazard to the health of local people. See: TOI Impact: MPPCB starts probe into Kymore asbestos landfill, 700 more claims in the works.

Justice in Potenza

Oct 14, 2026

A ten-year legal struggle ended with a victim’s verdict handed down by a Court in Potenza, Southern Italy. INAIL – the National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work – was ordered to pay a monthly pension of ~€1,500 (US$ 1,680) and arrears of ~€150,000 (US$168,000) to the widow of a worker from the Fiat Mirafiori plant. The deceased started work at the Turin factory aged 17 in 1958 and continued his employment for 11 years during which time he was routinely exposed to asbestos. As a result of those exposures, he contracted mesothelioma and died in 2018. See: Respira amianto alla Fiat di Mirafiori per 11 anni, poi il mesotelioma. Inail condannata [He inhaled asbestos at the Fiat Mirafiori plant for 11 years, then developed mesothelioma. INAIL found guilty].

Austria: Friend or Foe?

Oct 14, 2026

On October 9, 2026, Hungarian reporter Enikő Enzsöl reported an ironic twist of fate in Western Hungary. Asbestos-containing aggregates from Austrian quarries which had contaminated municipal roads and public parking lots in the Hungarian city of Szombathely and surrounding locations were now being sealed with bitumen imported at great cost from… Austria. To add insult to injury, Hungarian contractors were relying on Austrian machinery and expertise to carry out the repairs. The estimated cost of the work was expected to exceed €4.4 million (US$4.9m). See: Toxic Cycle from Austria: First Asbestos, Now Bitumen to Pave It Over.

Toxic Talc: L’Oréal Update

Oct 14, 2026

On October 9, 2026, a spokesperson for L'Oréal China, a subsidiary of the global L'Oréal brand, assured Chinese customers that the use of the company’s talc-based products was safe as they complied with national standards. According to China's Cosmetic Safety Technical Specifications (2015): “asbestos must not be detected in cosmetics. If the formulation contains talc raw material, the asbestos in the product must be tested. Under current testing methods, asbestos must not be detected in products.” See: 欧莱雅中国回应“滑石粉致癌风险”争议：中国区在售产品符合国家相关标准 [L’Oréal China responds to the controversy over “carcinogenic risk of talcum powder”: products sold in China comply with relevant national standards].

Asbestos Novelty Recall

Oct 12, 2026

On October 6, 2026, the UK’s Office for Safety and Standards (OPSS) issued a recall for two Halloween novelty products. According to the OPSS, the two decorative models: “present a risk to health as the sand in the doorstops may be contaminated with a small quantity of asbestos.” Both items were made in China and were sold throughout the UK by Primark. This was the 70th OPSS asbestos recall for children’s sand products, toys and novelty items since January 1, 2026 (see: Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls).

See: Product Recall: Primark Halloween Gonks (2610-0004).

Restoring Ruined Mining Site

Oct 12, 2026

The article cited below described the environmental and ecological remediation of Europe’s biggest chrysotile (white) asbestos mine: the Amiantos Mine in the Troodos Mountains on Cyprus. Decades of mining operations scarred the beautiful natural landscape and from 1904 millions of tonnes of ore were dug from the ground to produce asbestos fiber, a valuable local commodity that was shipped overseas. A community was built around the mine. It was an idyllic life – except for the deadly soil, air and water created by the operations at the toxic mine. “Amiantos,” the author concluded “is now a living case study in environmental recovery — a landscape that remembers its past while slowly healing.” See: Amiantos Mine is Cyprus’ Industrial Giant.

Asbestos on Campus

Oct 12, 2026

A timely opinion piece by Sofia Terèse Glantz appeared in the October 3, 2026 issue of The Varsity – the student newspaper of the University of Toronto. Glantz called on college officials to upgrade their risk communication strategy so that students would be better informed about safety measures being implemented to deal with asbestos contamination of multiple academic structures on campus, including classrooms, laboratories and dormitories. During much of the 20th century, Canada was the world’s biggest asbestos supplier. See: Opinion: Students deserve clearer communication about asbestos.

Asbestos-Related Disease in West Java

Oct 12, 2026

Results reported of tests conducted in Karawang on 36 former asbestos industry workers were conclusive: 10 suffered from asbestosis and 5 had silicosis due to toxic workplace exposures. The Karawang Manpower Supervisor was informed of the results by a delegation of the injured and campaigners. Highlighting multiple discrepancies in the provision of Indonesian occupational health benefits, the Supervisor was told about the serious impact and long latency period of asbestos exposures and urged support for a transition to asbestos-free materials. See: Mantan Pekerja Asbes Laporkan Dugaan Penyakit Akibat Kerja ke Pengawas Ketenagakerjaan Karawang [Former Asbestos Worker Reports Suspected Occupational Diseases to Karawang Manpower Supervisor].

New Precedent in Rimini

Oct 12, 2026

Because of the serious nature of his physical condition, no biopsy or histological evidence had been obtained or submitted in the asbestos case brought over the lung cancer death of a worker from the Italian State Railways’ maintenance facility in Rimini. As a result, the compensation claim submitted by his family was rejected because of lack of evidence. After input from trade union technical experts, medical professionals and legal advisors the claim was recognized. See: Amianto, malattia professionale riconosciuta anche senza Biopsia: il caso di Rimini fa scuola [Asbestos, an occupational disease recognized even without a biopsy: the case of Rimini sets a precedent].

Asbestos Eradication Program: Update

Oct 12, 2026

Provincial and federal funds were obtained to cover 100% of the costs of the now completed Glogów Commune project to remove all asbestos-containing products from the urban municipality in southwestern Poland. Work was carried out between June and September 2026 on 12 contaminated structures in the commune at a cost of PLN40,147.23 (US$10,260). The eradication was undertaken pursuant to Poland’s 2023 deadline for the elimination of asbestos-containing materials from Poland’s national infrastructure. See: Gmina Głogów zakończyła usuwanie azbestu. Prace objęły 12 obiektów [The Glogów commune has completed asbestos removal. The work covered 12 facilities].

Catalan Asbestos Protocols

Oct 9, 2026

On October 3, 2026, Catalan Law 8.2026 came into force. The legislation established the Catalan Register of Asbestos-Containing Materials: “a mandatory framework to accelerate the identification, removal and proper management of this material still present in numerous buildings and facilities.” The law also set out details for a mandatory certification scheme covering companies and individuals authorized to undertake asbestos eradication work. See: Cataluña refuerza la retirada y gestión del amianto con una ley específica [Catalonia strengthens the removal and management of asbestos with a specific law].