News Archive

An on-site survey on April 10, 2025 of Hotel Kairakuso in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, which was damaged by the January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, identified the presence of crocidolite (blue) asbestos in fireproofing material on beams and columns. Raising the alarm, Secretary-General Fuyushi Nagakura of the Asbestos Center was categorical: “Measures should immediately be taken to prevent the dispersal of the substance and inform volunteers of the danger.” Commenting on the situation, a representative of the Ishikawa Prefectural Government said: “we have asked the hotel to take steps to prevent dispersal and stop using volunteers. We will consider necessary actions based on the survey.” See: Highly carcinogenic asbestos found exposed to air at Noto quake-hit hotel in central Japan.

Deadly Industrial Legacy

Apr 29, 2025

On April 23, 2025 a high-level meeting was held at municipal chambers in Sardinia to discuss the serious asbestos legacy on the island, which includes health risks to the population as well as environmental contamination. Taking part in the discussions was Giampaolo Lilliu, President of the Association of Asbestos-exposed People, who highlighted the environmental asbestos disaster at the defunct asbestos factory sites in Oristano and Marrubiu. See: “A Oristano e Marrubiu siti industriali ad alto rischio amianto. La Regione finanzi le bonifiche” [“In Oristano and Marrubiu [are] industrial sites with a high risk of asbestos. The Region should finance reclamation”].

Asbestos Exempt from New Tariffs

Apr 29, 2025

Shocking news of yet another unexpected development from the White House this week with the news that asbestos was on the list of “critical” items excluded from new US tariffs. Although asbestos use was banned in 2024 by the Biden administration, it is still used by chlorine producers in a few factories. A spokesperson for the American Chemistry Council (ACC), which had argued that the ban could hurt the chlorine industry, said the ACC “played no role in lobbying for asbestos to get a tariff exemption and didn’t know why it was included.” See: Politically Connected Firms Benefit From Trump Tariff Exemptions Amid Secrecy, Confusion.

Scottish Water Denounced by MSP

Apr 29, 2025

Earlier this month, the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Highlands and Islands questioned Scottish Water about its continued use of 5,816 km of asbestos-containing water mains pipes. According to a Freedom of Information reply, it may take until 2072 for these pipes to be replaced. Scottish Water said that most of the £40 million being spent every year on remediation work was for the replacement of deteriorating asbestos pipes which were susceptible to frequent breakages. See: Scottish Water criticised over ‘slow removal of dangerous’ asbestos water pipes in Caithness and other rural areas.

Approval for Mesothelioma Drug

Apr 29, 2025

Last week, Health Canada – “the department of the Government of Canada responsible for national health policy” – approved the use of the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) with chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma. This decision was taken based on phase 3 trial results which showed improvements in survival, progression-free survival and an elevated response rate with the combination therapy. In September 2024, the US FDA also approved the use of this therapy for the treatment of mesothelioma patients. See: Health Canada Approves Pembrolizumab/Chemotherapy for Unresectable, Advanced or Metastatic Pleural Mesothelioma.

Asbestos Discovery on Patrol Boats

Apr 29, 2025

Earlier this month Spain’s Customs Surveillance Service, a unit of the Tax Agency, admitted that asbestos had been found on one of its fleet of Alcaraván patrol boats. All four of the vessels in the fleet were mothballed until further tests were carried out. Commenting on this discovery, a spokesperson from the SIAT trade union said: “It is inconceivable that vessels over 40 years old continue to carry out operational tasks. The last risk assessment review took place in 2016. SIAT has been requesting that the frequency of risk assessment reviews for each vessel be defined." See: La Agencia Tributaria deja en puerto sus patrulleras más antiguas tras encontrar fibras de amianto cancerígeno, material prohibido desde 2002 [Tax Agency leaves oldest patrol boats in port after finding carcinogenic asbestos fibers, a material banned since 2002].

Trade Union Press Release

Apr 24, 2025

A statement issued on April 17, 2025 by the National Education Union (NEU) – the largest education union in the UK and Europe – at its 2025 annual conference in Harrogate highlighted the deadly consequences of continuing government neglect of school infrastructure: “School building safety is of paramount importance, yet successive governments have paid lip service to it, especially where asbestos is concerned. The number of school staff and former pupils who have died from mesothelioma as a result of being exposed to asbestos at school continues to grow.” See: Health and safety in education – learning from Grenfell.

Another Conviction for Schmidheiny!

Apr 24, 2025

On April 17, 2025, the Court of Assizes of Appeal of Turin, Italy handed down a mixed verdict; while the new ruling confirmed a lower court’s guilty verdict of Swiss billionaire Stephan Schmidheiny, it reduced his punishment from 12 to 9 years and 6 months in jail. The defendant was convicted of having committed multiple manslaughters of workers at his company’s asbestos factory in Casale Monferrato. Schmidheiny had previously also been held responsible for asbestos deaths in several other Italian jurisdictions. See: Processo Eternit bis: pena ridotta all’ex amministratore Schmidheiny per le morti da amianto [Eternit bis trial: former administrator Schmidheiny receives reduced sentence for asbestos-related deaths].

Update on National Asbestos Ban

Apr 24, 2025

Although some restrictions on asbestos were implemented in 1999 and 2005, the use of asbestos-containing products in Malaysia remains legal, despite a government pledge to consider a national ban. The article cited below is a timely discussion of the deadly hazards posed by workplace and environmental exposures to asbestos and a reminder that scores of other countries have already acted to protect populations by prohibiting asbestos use. A spokeswoman for the Consumers’ Association of Penang, which has supported an asbestos ban for decades, called on the government to take decisive action sooner rather than later. See: Asbestos: The tiny fibres that threaten our lives.

Waterblasting Asbestos Roof

Apr 24, 2025

On March 9, 2025, structures in the vicinity of waterblasting operations on the roof of 102 Daniell Street, a domestic property in the Wellington suburb of Newtown, were contaminated by an asbestos slurry coming off the roof. Tests commissioned by local people found two types of asbestos in the debris. According to a council spokesperson there was “minimal risk to the general public,” nevertheless eradication work is being progressed by specialist contractors at buildings downwind of the site. See: Asbestos blown on to Wellington homes by waterblasters.

Urgent Need to Address Asbestos Hazard

Apr 24, 2025

On April 21, 2025 Councilor Sung Chang-yong, a member of the Planning and Finance Committee of South Korea’s Busan City Council, urged the municipality to take urgent action to protect citizens from the continuing hazard posed by the city’s shipbuilding legacy. Operations at the contaminated site continue to endanger the lives of workers as well as local people by liberating carcinogenic asbestos fibers into the atmosphere, he said, during the first plenary session of the 328th Extraordinary Congress. See: 성창용 부산시의원 "부산시, 수리조선소 유발 '환경성질환' 적극 대응해야" [Busan City Councilor Sung Chang-yong, “Busan City must actively respond to ‘environmental diseases’ caused by repair shipyards”].

Mesothelioma Data

Apr 24, 2025

A study published in journal Lung Cancer reported that China and the US had the world’s highest numbers of deaths from mesothelioma, the signature cancer associated with exposure to asbestos. However, in 2021 “the ASIRs [age-standardized incidence rates] and ASDRs [age-standardized death rates] for mesothelioma were highest in the United Kingdom and Australia. The ASIRs were 2.01 for the UK and 2.00 for Australia. The ASDRs were 1.82 and 1.75, respectively.” See: US Had Second Highest Number of Deaths From Mesothelioma in 2021.

Victim’s Victory in Osaka!

Apr 23, 2025

On April 17, 2025, a decision by Chief Judge Yasushi Taniguchi of the Osaka High Court, Japan reversed a December 2024 verdict by Judge Yuki Tatsuno who had supported the government’s defence that the claim – from the family of a deceased asbestos factory worker – was barred by the statute of limitations. In the new ruling, Judge Taniguchi rejected this argument and ordered the government to pay compensation of ¥6 million (US$42,150) to the family. See: アスベスト被害の賠償請求権、除斥期間の起点は「労働局の被害認定時」…元労働者側が大阪高裁で逆転勝訴 [Statute of limitations for asbestos damage claims begins "when damage is certified by Labor Bureau" – former worker wins case in Osaka High Court].

Pioneering Asbestos Outreach Project

Apr 23, 2025

Results reported this month of a medical surveillance program of at-risk populations in the Brazilian State of Bahia raised serious concerns about the ongoing legacy of the commercial exploitation of asbestos at the Sao Felix Asbestos Mine in Bom Jesus da Serra and Poçoes. Out of a total cohort of 584 people examined, 66 were diagnosed with one or more asbestos-related diseases: 30% had been exposed at work with the remaining 70% exposed to asbestos in the environment. See: Estudo revela impactos do amianto na saúde da população do sudoeste baiano [Study reveals the impacts of asbestos on the health of the population in southwest Bahia].

Urban Transformation: Asbestos Alert

Apr 23, 2025

People living in the Kadikoy district of Istanbul are mobilizing over the hazardous conditions caused by developers’ continued failure to comply with mandatory asbestos health and safety regulations. Contractors are, they allege, falsifying clearance certificates to speed up demolition and clearance work on new projects and not removing asbestos material as required. Municipal officials deny these claims. Commenting on the situation Chest Diseases Specialist Sedat Urkmez warned: “Inhaling construction dust, especially if asbestos is present, can cause serious issues for cancer patients or those with weakened immune systems.” See: Asbestos concerns erupt during urban transformation on Istanbul’s Bagdat Avenue.

Calls for Asbestos Action Now!

Apr 23, 2025

The commentary cited below by journalist Katharine Quarmby called on the UK Government to prioritize the eradication of the asbestos hazard from the UK infrastructure: “Every month that the Government fails to act is another month in which people are being exposed to asbestos through no fault of their own – in their homes, at work, in the air and in public buildings. It doesn’t need to be that way – but only the Government can really turn this around.” See: Why the Government has to deal with the UK’s asbestos legacy.

Asbestos Crimes in the Basque Country

Apr 23, 2025

At a Barcelona press conference earlier this month, leaders of community and workers’ groups highlighted concerns over continued failures by developers to abide by mandatory health and safety regulations. The Association of Retirees and the Federation of Neighborhood Associations of Barcelona, which are calling for the removal of the asbestos material remaining within the Barcelona built environment, stipulated that this must be accomplished “always under appropriate conditions.” Several recent cases of dangerous worksites in local neighborhoods – La Verneda, Poblenou, and Eixample – were reported. See: Dangerous asbestos removal in Barcelona denounced: “No one checks to see if fibers are released”.

National Asbestos Eradication Program

Apr 23, 2025

An article uploaded last month, reported that on On March 11, 2025, the Kenyan Cabinet officially approved a nationwide program to eliminate the asbestos hazard from the built environment. In a press release about this decision, an official spokesperson explained that it was taken not only to “enhance public health and safety” but also to “reduce future disease burden, cut healthcare costs, and enhance environmental safety.” According to a directive issued at the meeting chaired by President William Ruto: “NEMA will oversee the safe removal, disposal, and handling of asbestos. County governments were urged to establish designated disposal sites.” See: Asbestos, the deadly material lining Kenya's public institutions.

Johnson & Johnson: New Book

Apr 16, 2025

The link below is to an interview with NY investigative journalist Gardiner Harris whose new book: “No More Tears: The Dark Secrets Of Johnson & Johnson (J&J),” reveals key J&J scandals including the company’s predatory marketing techniques, suppression of research findings and deadly decision-making processes which supported the continued sale of asbestos-containing talc-based powder and other pharmaceuticals decades after the human health hazards were known. See: ‘No More Tears’ author discusses Johnson & Johnson's questionable business practices.

Asbestos-cement Water Pipes Alert

Apr 16, 2025

According to Ömer Fethi Gürer, a member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and a member of the TURKPA Commission on Environment, Natural Resources and Health Protection, 2,700 kilometers of drinking water pipes in Turkey are still made of asbestos-cement. They should, he said, be replaced as a matter of urgency because of the hazard they posed to human health. Over the last 15 years, 82% of asbestos water pipes – equal to 15,000 kilometers – have been replaced in Turkey. See: CHP'li Gürer duyurdu: '2 bin 700 kilometrelik içme suyu borusu asbestli' [CHP's Gürer announced: ‘2,700 kilometers of drinking water pipes are asbestos’].

Asbestos Alert!

Apr 16, 2025

Trade union representatives at garage workshops in Molenbeek, in the Brussels capital region of Belgium, reported concerns over the presence of asbestos at the workplace. The premises were owned by the Brussels Public Transport Company (the STIB). As a precautionary measure, the company announced that the 80 workers from the Molenbeek premises, would be relocated temporarily until testing and decontamination efforts had been completed. See: Amiante dans un atelier de la Stib à Molenbeek: le niveau inférieur à la norme requise, le personnel déménagera "par précaution" [Asbestos in a STIB workshop in Molenbeek: level not meeting required standard, the staff will move “as a precaution”].

Asbestos in Schools

Apr 16, 2025

According to NY Mayoral candidate Brad Lander, who is currently New York City Comptroller, in 2023-24 the Department of Education failed to carry out mandatory inspections of 82% of the city’s 1,700 school buildings. Commenting on the potential deadly consequences of this oversight for school users Lander said: “No level of exposure is safe, and prolonged exposure to asbestos during childhood can cause lung disease and can cause cancer.” See: Over 80% of NYC public schools built with asbestos were not inspected from 2023-2024, audit shows.

Victory for Puglia Asbestos Victims

Apr 16, 2025

Five years after a former soldier died from the asbestos cancer mesothelioma, the final ruling of the Trani Court was handed down; his widow was awarded a lump sum of €400,000 (~US$451,000) plus a monthly pension of €2,400 (~US$2,707) from Italy’s Ministry of Defense. The deceased had been a military radio operator and his death on February 10, 2020 was, the Court agreed, caused by toxic exposures during his service, making him a “victim of duty.” See: Militare morto per amianto in Puglia: il Ministero risarcirà la vedova con 400mila euro e 2400 euro al mese [Death of soldier in Puglia due to asbestos: the Ministry will compensate his widow with 400 thousand euros and 2400 euros per month].

Asbestos Prosecution in Manchester

Apr 16, 2025

Following a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive, self-employed roofing contractor Stephen Wilks was found guilty of breaching asbestos safety regulations after work carried out under his supervision in Altrincham, Greater Manchester in February 2022 led to the contamination of a residential area with asbestos-containing materials. As a result of his failure to comply with safety requirements, the health of two young workers and local residents was put at risk. Wilks was sentenced to pay £3,500+ (US$4,600) in costs and a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work, by Ashton-Under-Lyne Magistrates Court. See: Tradesman fined after asbestos roof dumped in bin.

Asbestos Medical Outreach

Apr 14, 2025

The article cited below reported on the second phase of an asbestos outreach project in a former asbestos mining town in the northeast of Brazil. The results of a screening project organized in 2024 by the Public Ministry of Labor, the Brazilian Association of Asbestos Exposed and the Association of Asbestos-Contaminated Victims and Exposed Families showed that of the 584 people evaluated: 66 were diagnosed with one or more asbestos-related diseases; 30% of participants reported occupational exposures to asbestos; 70% reported environmental exposures. See: Estudo revela impactos do amianto na saúde da população do sudoeste baiano – MPT-BA [Study reveals impacts of asbestos on the health of the population of southwestern Bahia – MPT-BA].