News Archive

The implications for Indian citizens of the country’s massive consumption of asbestos – a substance outlawed in over 70 nations – was explored in the article cited below, which warned that the pollution hazard was an indoor as well as outdoor issue. According to the journalist Palavi Mehra: “Almost every home in India contains asbestos. Common places asbestos may be found include: Old roofing sheets, Cement water tanks, Floor tiles, Insulation materials… India could see up to 6 million cases of asbestos-related diseases in the coming years, with over 600,000 cancer cases predicted if action isn’t taken.” See: Deadly household asbestos fibres could raise lung cancer risk – What it is and expert shares tips to stay safe.

EPA Attack on Asbestos Ban

Jun 26, 2025

The timely and thoughtful article cited below examined current moves by Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to roll back the asbestos prohibitions adopted by the previous administration. According to Dr Arthur Frank, Professor of Public Health and Medicine at Drexel University: “This is another attempt by industry, going back to when they blocked the first EPA asbestos ban in 1989, to allow for continued use of a deadly material responsible for some 40,000 U.S. deaths and some 250,000 worldwide deaths each year.” See: Trump considering asbestos ban reversal sparks warning: “Lives at risk”.

Rehashed Asbestos Propaganda

Jun 26, 2025

The latest asbestos offensive from Russia is a rather jumbled and badly written article which boasted of Russia’s dominance of the global asbestos industry, with shipments of home-grown asbestos to China, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries as well as former Soviet republics. The national asbestos bans which have been achieved around the world were, said the anonymous author, a result of a commercial war mounted by the producers of alternative products, misinformed campaigners and the media. See: Маркетинговые войны: как асбест превратили в страшилку для потребителя [Marketing wars: how asbestos was turned into a horror story for the consumer].

Asbestos Contamination of Academia

Jun 26, 2025

In the second part of an astonishing survey detailing the multimillion pound asbestos scandal at UK universities, author Tom Quinn revealed some startling facts: the University of Manchester had the highest amount of asbestos-containing material (ACM) in its buildings as well as the highest number of asbestos-related claims; the University of Sussex had the highest number of high-risk ACM; Cardiff University had 7,142 ACMs in 196 of its buildings, Aberystwyth University had 2,564 ACMs across 129 buildings; and 92% of the buildings on the Ulster University campus contained asbestos. See: Terminal illnesses and endless costs: the enduring legacy of the asbestos industry in UK universities.

Remembering the Kubota Shock!

Jun 26, 2025

In the run-up to the 20th anniversary of the Kubota Shock, the article below highlighted how the massive use of white and blue asbestos at the Kubota company’s former Kanzaki factory poisoned not only workers and their family members but also many people who had the misfortune to live within the danger zone. Those at high risk lived up to 4 km south-southwest and 1.5 km north-northeast from the factory. During the decades of asbestos use, it has been estimated that 120,000 people were environmentally exposed to asbestos in this way. See: 「死の棘」巨大アスベスト工場から飛散クボタショック20年、問われる責任 [“Endless asbestos disaster” Huge asbestos factory: “thorns of death” scattered, responsibility called into question].

STF Stalemate Continues

Jun 26, 2025

Although the Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) banned asbestos production, processing and sales in 2017, asbestos operations continue at the country’s sole mine. All of the white (chrysotile) fiber produced at the Cana Brava mine is exported. Litigation regarding the unconstitutionality of this state-of-affairs has disappeared into a judicial black hole in Brasilia. On June 21, 2025, Caio Henrique Salgado reported in “O Popular” – a Brazilian newspaper based in the asbestos mining state of Goiás – that the President of the STF had once again postponed a hearing on the asbestos litigation. See [behind paywall]: Presidente do STF prorroga vista e volta a adiar julgamento sobre amianto [President of the Supreme Federal Court extends the hearing and postpones the trial on asbestos again].

Victims’ Victory!

Jun 23, 2025

Last week, the Spanish government approved a royal decree under which thousands of asbestos-injured people will be able to obtain compensation via a nationwide scheme that will come into operation within three months. Depending on their injuries the claimants, or their beneficiaries, will be entitled to payments of between €32,000 and €96,000 (US$37,000 and $111,000). Applicants must submit a certificate of diagnosis issued by the health authorities, as well as their completed claim form to the Treasury of the National Social Security Institute. If no reply is forthcoming within 6 months, the claim is rejected. See: Thousands of asbestos victims to receive compensation ranging from 32,000 to 96,000 euros.

Win at Washington Supreme Court!

Jun 23, 2025

In a verdict handed down by the Washington State Supreme Court on May 29, 2025, the Court overturned its own precedent and denied immunity to Alcoa Inc., the former employer of mesothelioma sufferer Jeffrey Cockrum. The plaintiff had been occupationally exposed to asbestos during his 30-year employment at Alcoa’s Wenatchee Works aluminium facility; he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2022. Commenting on the judicial development, one observer noted that: “This ruling will likely result in a dramatic increase in liability for employers in Washington State whose employees may have been exposed to asbestos.” See: Washington Strips Employers of Workers’ Compensation Immunity for Asbestos Claims.

Parliamentary Asbestos Debate

Jun 23, 2025

On the afternoon of June 18, 2025, MPs considered the subject of the “Removal of Asbestos from Non-Domestic Buildings” during a Westminster Hall Debate, which had been secured by Emma Lewell MP, representing the constituency of South Shields. During the debate, 3 Labor MPs and 1 Democratic Unionist Party MP called on the government to take timely and decisive action on the asbestos hazard. Concluding the debate, the Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education Sir Stephen Timms said the speakers were: “absolutely right to make the case for the goal of an asbestos-free Great Britain and a plan for asbestos to be removed across the country.” See: Asbestos Removal: Non-domestic Buildings.

Asbestos Exposure in the Navy

Jun 23, 2025

Confirming the link between asbestos exposures and mesothelioma, last week Italy’s Supreme Court (the Court of Cassation) ordered the Ministry of Defense (MoD) to pay compensation of €670,000 (US$770,500) to the family of a naval carpenter and dry dock worker who died in 2013. The deceased had been employed for 38 years by the MoD which had, the Judges ruled, failed to adopt precautions and strategies to protect him from toxic exposures. See: Ucciso dal mesotelioma, muore operaio dell’Arsenale. Arriva il maxi risarcimento [Killed by mesothelioma, Arsenal worker dies. Huge compensation [finally] arrives].

Asbestos Removal in Schools

Jun 23, 2025

By September 2025, New Zealand’s Ministry of Education should have a new accreditation scheme in place to systemize the control of asbestos remediation work at schools. High-profile examples of shoddy work by operators highlighted the need for the introduction of the new accredited supplier list of consultants, licensed removalists and accredited laboratories for follow-up testing. Commenting on the new rules, School Property Chief Executive Jerome Sheppard said: “we will expect all workers, whether directly employed or contracted through labour hire firms, to hold the appropriate qualifications, training and experience to undertake asbestos-related work safely and compliantly.” See: Education Ministry clamp down on asbestos exposure in schools.

Trump Threat to Asbestos Ban

Jun 23, 2025

According to a court filing on June 16, 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency is reconsidering a ban on the use of asbestos introduced last year (2024) by the Biden administration. This prohibition was years in the making and a result of decades of lobbying by victims’ groups, trade unions and health and safety campaigners who denounced the huge death toll caused by asbestos-related diseases and cancers in the US. Asbestos liberated as a result of natural disasters in the US – the Maui (2023) and Southern California wildfires (2025) – pose a serious threat to the health of first responders, firefighters and members of the public. See: Cancer-causing asbestos has been regulated for decades and removed from buildings. Trump could allow one form to return.

Eternit Charged with Manslaughter

Jun 18, 2025

On June 17, 2025, the Dutch Prosecutor’s office announced that charges of manslaughter and negligent homicide had been brought against Eternit, formerly one of the world’s largest asbestos conglomerates, for the deaths of two employees from the company’s plant in Goor. The parent company of Eternit is the Belgian building materials group Etex, which had a turnover in 2024 of €3.78 billion (US$4.37bn). See: Pays-Bas: la société Eternit poursuivie par la justice pour deux décès liés à l’amiante [Netherlands: Eternit company prosecuted for two asbestos-related deaths].

Rochdale Eyesore a Toxic Nightmare

Jun 18, 2025

The toxic 75-acre site of a former asbestos industrial complex in Rochdale is attracting urban explorers bent on making content for YouTube and other platforms. Asbestos manufacturing began here in 1879 and continued for more than a century. The derelict buildings still standing are crumbling as are the asbestos products within the structures and the asbestos debris previously dumped on the site. None of the plans submitted by developers succeeded in gaining planning permission and no decontamination work has been carried out. See: The turbulent story of ‘Rochdale's Chernobyl’ where urban explorers and YouTubers now wander.

Ministry Endorses Asbestos Ban

Jun 18, 2025

In an interview this month with Indian Journalist Puja Awasthi, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary said that banning asbestos was not just a moral issue but also a health imperative. The Minister, who in April, 2025 announced that the use of asbestos would be banned in all India’s schools, called on the Government – the Commerce Ministry, Corporate Affairs Ministry and Finance Ministry – as well as commercial organizations to prioritize the health of India’s citizens over commercial gain. See: ‘Asbestos ban is a health imperative, not just a moral issue’: Jayant Chaudhary.

Naval Service & Asbestos Exposure

Jun 18, 2025

In a case brought over the asbestos death of naval engineer Michele Cannavò, the Rome Civil Court ordered the Navy to pay compensation of €400,000 (US$463,000) to the deceased’s family. Mr Cannavò, who was from Catania, died from pleural mesothelioma after decades of occupational exposures to asbestos on board ships – in the engine rooms, corridors, from pipe linings etc. – and onshore at the Augusta Military Arsenal and elsewhere. See: Esposizione all’amianto, Marina Militare condannata a risarcire 400mila euro [Exposure to asbestos, Navy ordered to pay compensation of 400 thousand euros].

HSE Prosecution in Bristol

Jun 18, 2025

Following a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), construction site supervisor Adrian Barraclough was fined £1,800 after he exposed children and staff at a primary school in Bristol to asbestos during renovation work carried out in May 2023. The accused used a circular saw to cut through asbestos insulating board thus spreading fibers throughout the school hall. Barraclough pleaded guilty to breaching Section 7(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Commenting on the outcome of the case HSE inspector Ian Whittles said: “In this case, wholly unacceptable exposure to asbestos fibres occurred as a result of an individual employee not following instructions and procedures designed to prevent such occurrences.” See: Site supervisor fined after exposing school pupils to asbestos.

Skewed Debate on Asbestos

Jun 18, 2025

The confusion, much of it deliberately manufactured by vested interests, which seems to dominate India’s asbestos dialogue has paralysed the national government which continues to allow thousands of tonnes of deadly asbestos to be imported every year. The massive use of asbestos over several decades has left the country with a terrible legacy with many people now being diagnosed with asbestos-related cancers and diseases. There is no systemized and coherent national scheme to track the injured and relatively no support or assistance available to them or their families. See: Why has India not banned asbestos, a known carcinogen?

Remembering the “Kubota Shock”

Jun 16, 2025

On June 14, 2025, Professor Emeritus Kenichi Miyamoto, gave a 90-minute lecture “Endless Asbestos Disaster” as part of a program of activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the “Kubota Shock,” the moment when Japan’s deadly asbestos legacy exploded onto the public consciousness. During the free public event, Dr. Kazunori Okabe, Director of the Department ofThoracic Surgery gave a presentation “Asbestos and Pleural Mesothelioma” and Dr. Hiroshi Iida, Secretary General of the Amagasaki Occupational Safety and Health Center, discussed the “Serious Asbestos Damage in Amagasaki.” See: 石綿被害「クボタショック」20年　95歳になった公害研究者の思い [Asbestos Damage “Kubota Shock.” 20 Year Thoughts of a 95-Year-Old Pollution Researcher].

Prostate Cancer & Asbestos

Jun 16, 2025

A ruling by Veterans Affairs Canada that had denied benefits for service-related injuries to the widow of a military veteran, was overturned on May 21, 2025 by the Veterans Review and Appeal Board panel. The two-member appeal board panel found that the prostate cancer which killed the marine engineer had been caused by long-term exposures to asbestos in boiler rooms of naval vessels. The claimant was awarded full disability benefits. See: Canadian veteran’s family wins compensation for cancer linked to asbestos on military ships.

Adding Insult to Injury

Jun 16, 2025

The name of the largest gender-equal rugby league training facility in Australia, which is operated by the New South Wales Parramatta Eels rugby league team, was last week revealed to be the James Hardie (JH) Centre of Excellence and Community Centre. In May, 2025 asbestos diseases sufferers termed the club’s decision to link up with JH “outrageous.”Generations of fans of the West Sydney-based team would have suffered fatalities as a result of toxic exposures experienced at JH asbestos factories in Sydney and elsewhere. See: Parramatta Eels announces James Hardie as Naming Rights Partner of Centre of Excellence.

Update on Mesothelioma Research

Jun 16, 2025

On June 10, 2025 a landmark step was taken in Casale Monferrato, the Italian town at the center of a national asbestos epidemic, when the Asbestos Strategic Committee unanimously approved the terms of a new clinical, preclinical and translational mesothelioma research project. Supporters of the new program, said it was “a significant step forward in taking care of mesothelioma patients and improving treatment pathways at the regional level.” See: Terapie personalizzate e qualità della vita: sì a un nuovo progetto di ricerca contro il mal d’amianto [Personalized therapies and quality of life: yes to new research project tackling asbestos sickness].

Asbestos News: Global Developments

Jun 16, 2025

Two articles in the current issue of the ANROEV (Asian Network for the Rights of Occupational and Environmental Victims) newsletter discussed important asbestos-related developments. The text on page 6 – SLAPP Parasite Haunts Advocacy for the Public's Right to be Protected from Asbestos Hazards in Indonesia – detailed the current legal machinations by asbestos lobbyists in Indonesia to forestall government action on the asbestos hazard. The article on page 8 – Study Confirms Link Between Occupational Asbestos Exposure and Gastrointestinal Cancers – confirmed research findings linking occupational asbestos exposures to gastrointestinal cancers, including oesophageal, stomach, and colorectal cancer. See [Download page]: ANROEV Newsletter Issue 66. 2025.

Mesothelioma: Gene Expression Profile

Jun 16, 2025

An article by four Italian and US scientists which appeared in the September 2025 online issue of the Journal of Experimental and Molecular Pathology – an open access, peer-reviewed publication – identified “a distinct gene expression profile linked to asbestos exposure” in cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma. It is hoped that this discovery will be useful in helping researchers focus on “identifying novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers.” See: From asbestos exposure to carcinogenesis: Transcriptomic signatures in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Asbestos Eradication: Update

Jun 11, 2025

On June 5, 2025 Kenya’s Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa issued a directive mandating the immediate removal of all asbestos roofing materials from buildings across the country “to safeguard public health and environmental integrity.” Under the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Management of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Materials) Regulations, 2024, it is obligatory for property owners to safely remove and dispose of all asbestos-containing roofing materials. Ideally, action should be taken in the near future but there is, as yet, no deadline. See: Environment CS Barasa Orders Nationwide Asbestos Roof Ban.