News Archive

A huge rise in profits and very generous stockholder dividends were reported last week by the French conglomerate Altrad – the current owner of the former UK asbestos giant Cape Plc. Altrad has been widely criticized for failing to engage with asbestos victims and Parliamentarians backing a call for a one-off £10 million (US$13.3m) donation for medical research into diseases caused by exposures to asbestos. In March 2025, Altrad’s CEO Ran Oren declined to take part in “a parliamentary hearing on Cape’s asbestos-related legacy.” See: Profit rises at Altrad amid asbestos-claims warning.

Asbestos Eradication in Almere

May 19, 2025

Responding to the asbestos crisis, a Dutch municipality announced last week plans to pay for the removal of all small asbestos roofs on buildings within its jurisdiction. A remediation campaign launched by the national government in 2019 failed to meet targets. Four hundred thousand Dutch buildings still have asbestos-containing roofs and 1,100+ Dutch citizens die annually from diseases caused by asbestos exposures. The Almere city council approved a plan to fully cover the cost of removing asbestos roofs from 1,000 small structures; by the end of 2026, all asbestos roofs on small buildings in Almere will be gone. See: Almere to remove all small asbestos roofs for free as national effort falters.

Asbestos Surveillance Health Program

May 19, 2025

On May 13, 2025, Mayor Chun Young-ki of South Korea’s Tongyeong City announced that on May 31 & June 1, 2025, the municipality will conduct a health audit of asbestos-exposed residents in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment. The check-ups offered under this program are free of charge for eligible applicants and will be conducted under the Asbestos Damage Relief Act. To qualify, people must have lived near shipyards or in houses with asbestos roofs or worked in asbestos-using industries. Family members of at-risk workers are also eligible for the screening. See: 통영시, 석면피해의심지역 주민 석면 건강영향조사 실시 [Tongyeong City conducts asbestos health impact survey for residents in suspected asbestos damage areas].

Remembering Henri Pezerat

May 19, 2025

The wonderful article by Prathamesh Kabra cited below highlighted the amazing work of French toxicologist Henri Pezerat who was one of the pioneers in the fight for asbestos justice in France. Henri worked closely with workers, as well as scientists, to identify and publicise the deadly occupational and public health consequences of the operations of the French asbestos industry. According to Kabra: “His work broke through the noise of industry-backed studies. He showed the true risks, and that helped change laws to protect people’s health. His life story still reminds me that a single determined voice can spark real change.” See: This Scientist Spent His Life Proving Asbestos Could Kill You.

Asbestos on the Beaches

May 19, 2025

An alert by Auckland Council warned local people to avoid the 5-10cm long fragments of asbestos-cement material (ACM) that had washed up on East Auckland beaches at Glendowie and Karaka Bays and by the Tāmaki River towards Panmure. Downplaying the health hazard, a spokesperson for the Council said: “We are asking people to take a common-sense approach and to simply leave ACM alone for the council to collect. Dogs and children should also be prevented from picking up the material.” Work was, the Council said, underway to decontaminate affected areas. See: Council warns of washed up asbestos on East Auckland beaches.

Good News from Perth!

May 19, 2025

The National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases (NCARD) in Perth, Western Australia was awarded a A$200,000 (US$128,200) grant from the Medical Research Future Fund to implement an innovative three-year imaging trial for mesothelioma, the signature cancer associated with asbestos exposure, under the leadership of Professor Roslyn Francis. The trial will investigate whether the use of a targeted imaging agent called girentuximab can improve the technique for detecting and monitoring mesothelioma. See: NCARD Secures Funding for Innovative Mesothelioma Imaging Study.

Asbestos Removal Program

May 16, 2025

As part of efforts to modernize the water network, in 2024 the Sharjah Electricity, Water, and Gas Authority (SEWA) replaced 25 kilometers of old asbestos water pipes with new ones made from Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) material at a cost of 22 million dirhams (US$6m). This year, SEWA plans to replace a further 40 kilometers of old asbestos pipes in different areas of the UAE city of Sharjah, including Al Hazannah, Al Jazat, and Industrial Area 13, at a cost of 40+ million dirhams (US11m). See: SEWA undertakes projects to replace old water networks.

Asbestos Pollution: New Findings

May 16, 2025

A new paper by scientists from Hungary examined the ecological ramifications of asbestos-cement contamination of irrigation water. The research investigated the response of three plant species – Trifolium pratense, Medicago sativa, and Solanum lycopersicum. According to the authors: “When exposed to asbestos in water, plants experience toxic stress that can inhibit photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and germination. Asbestos can also adversely affect cell division and metabolism, risking plant growth, reproduction, and overall health…” See: The impact of asbestos cement pollution in irrigation water on physiological and germination characteristics of Trifolium pratense, Medicago sativa, and Solanum lycopersicum seeds.

New Judgment against INPS

May 16, 2025

Italy’s National Institute for Social Security (INPS) was, once again, condemned by an Italian court for rejecting a claim by an asbestos-injured worker. From 1976 till 1988, metalworker and welder Domenico Di Fraia was routinely exposed to asbestos at the GECOM SpA plant in Pozzuoli, Naples. As a result, he was diagnosed with bilateral pleural thickening, pleural plaques, and lymph node swellings. A labor judge in a Naples Court ordered INPS to recognize the claim and adjust Fraia’s benefits accordingly. See: Pozzuoli, operaio risarcito dopo 12 anni di esposizione ad amianto: «Giustizia arrivata in tempi brevi» [Pozzuoli, worker compensated after 12 years of exposure to asbestos: “Justice arrived quickly”].

Asbestos Clinic Shutdown

May 16, 2025

A vital and valuable resource for a town devastated by asbestos-related diseases was closed by local law enforcement personnel earlier this month. This action resulted from a federal verdict issued against the Card Clinic in a case brought by asbestos defendant BNSF Railways. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, the $3.1 million writ of execution on the Center for Asbestos Related Disease, Inc. was served pursuant to a lawsuit instigated by the BNSF Railway, owned by Warren Buffett, “which accused the clinic of filing hundreds of fraudulent claims over several years.” See: Libby's asbestos clinic shuttered after losing lawsuit to BNSF Railway.

Managing the Asbestos Hazard

May 16, 2025

Last month, the donation of US$4 million additional funding was announced by the Government of Japan and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) at a meeting in Nairobi, Kenya “for a vital environmental recovery initiative in Ukraine, where the ongoing war continues to pose environmental challenges.” Under the initiative: Enhancing capacity of hazardous waste management, measures will be implemented for the management of war debris containing asbestos to protect environmental and public health from potentially deadly exposures. See: Japan and UNEP unveil new funding for environmental recovery in war-affected Ukraine.

Toxic Talc

May 16, 2025

The focus of the article cited below was the deadly health hazards posed to consumers through the use of asbestos-contaminated talc-based baby powder, cosmetics and personal hygiene products. The author detailed steps taken by researchers at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which led them to classify talc as “‘probably carcinogenic’ to humans, especially in relation to ovarian cancer” including animal studies and assessment of mechanistic evidence. See: Perigoso mineral cancerígeno pode estar dentro da sua casa [Dangerous Cancer-Causing Mineral May Be Inside Your Home].

No More Asbestos in Schools!

May 12, 2025

South Africa’s Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube last week told Parliament that her Department had succeeded in eradicating the asbestos hazard from all schools as part of the on-going mission to implement “infrastructure norms and standards.” Other issues still remained to be resolved but good progress was, she said, being made. The Minister, who has been a Member of Parliament for four years represents the Democratic Alliance party. See: DBE tells MPs it's eradicated all schools built with mud, asbestos.

Update: Asbestos Data

May 12, 2025

According to figures released on May 5, 2025 by the Catalan Government, the total amount of asbestos-cement remaining in the Catalan infrastructure is one, not two to three million tons as reported previously. Asbestos audits conducted by the Generalitat (Catalan government) and local councils, revealed that the carcinogenic material was generally used in Catalonia for roofing, water tanks and pipes. It is anticipated that the Asbestos Eradication Law in Catalonia will be approved by the end of 2025. See: From three million tons to one million: the Government recalculates the amount of asbestos yet to be removed.

Schools: Full Asbestos Removal Subsidies

May 12, 2025

In a shake-up of regional priorities, the Flemish Government confirmed its commitment to ensure that all schools are made safe for use in a statement which announced that from now on it will “fully reimburse schools for asbestos removal costs.” Plans to give every child in primary education a laptop were shelved in order to provide funding for the asbestos decontamination work. For years, Flanders has been among the most proactive EU authorities in addressing the toxic legacy left by the presence of asbestos material throughout the natural and built environments. See: ‘Return to basics’: Flanders ditches plans to provide laptops to primary school pupils.

Asbestos Legacy at Berkshire Hathaway

May 12, 2025

Having been brought to its knees by asbestos liabilities in 2006 Equitas, an insurance vehicle for Lloyd’s of London, paid Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BH) a lump sum of $7.1 billion to off-load its asbestos liabilities. Other organizations followed suit. Now, BH is finding that asbestos claims represent a problem and not an opportunity. Claiming that it hadn’t foreseen the “recent explosion in lawsuits alleging asbestos exposure through cosmetic talc products” BH is seeking protection from the bankruptcy court. See [subscription site]: A Berkshire Insurance Bet Went Bad.

Disposal of Asbestos Waste

May 12, 2025

The commentary cited below was a timely reminder about a problem plaguing many countries: how to rid itself of asbestos contamination. In Latvia, asbestos-cement roofing (slate) was a popular product; as a result, there are now 1 million+ tons of such material throughout the country. The asbestos problem isn’t easily solved, as removing and disposing of the toxic tiles could be hazardous if not done by specialist technicians. To address this problem, an expanded support program to facilitate decontamination is being developed by the Ministry of Climate and Energy. See: Куда девать старый шифер? Владельцы надеются на господдержку [What to do with the old slate? Owners hope for state support].

Asbestos Incident in Berlin

May 12, 2025

People living near the Jahn Stadium in Berlin's Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark were outspoken over the failure to contain asbestos contamination over several weeks during demolition work. The unwelcome discovery of friable asbestos material by workers and the lack of prompt and appropriate action had, community campaigners said, set off alarm bells regarding public health and safety in the surrounding Prenzlauer Berg area. According to the Berlin Senate, the “identified asbestos poses a limited health risk when managed appropriately.” See: Concerns Over Asbestos Exposure During Berlin Stadium Demolition.

Victory in Asbestosis Case!

May 9, 2025

On May 2, 2025, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced that an Osaka High Court verdict which had ordered the Government to compensate the family of an asbestos factory worker who died in 2020 would not be appealed; the Court had awarded the sum of ~6 million yen ($41,000) to the family, due to the state’s failure to take preventive and timely action on the workplace asbestos hazard. Government lawyers had told the court that the case had been time barred because of a 2019 change in the starting point for the statute of limitations. The High Court disagreed. See: State damages finalized over former worker's asbestosis in Japan.

Good News from Corsica!

May 9, 2025

After years of delays, demolition work will finally begin on the 30-hectare site of the former Canari asbestos factory on the French island of Corsica in October 2025; manufacturing operations at this industrial site ceased in 1965. The sum of €7 million (~US$8m) has been allocated for this work which is scheduled to be finished by June 2026. The tender for this complex project was won by Cardem, an asbestos removal specialist company which is part of the Vinci group. See: Démolition de l'usine d'amiante de Canari, en Haute-Corse: un chantier unique en Europe [Demolition of the Canari asbestos plant in Haute-Corse: a unique project in Europe].

Growing Support for Unilateral Ban

May 9, 2025

The article below cited medical, scientific and technical experts from Malaysia in support of recent civil society calls for a comprehensive and immediate ban on the use of all types of asbestos to be implemented by the Government. Amongst those quoted by reporter Harith Kamal were asbestos removal specialist Hisham Yahaya, International Islamic University of Malaysia Associate Professor Dr Muhammad Zubir Yusof and National University of Malaysia respiratory physician Associate Professor Dr Ng Boon Ha who warned of the regulatory gaps which still exist, such as the failure to ban the use of chrysotile asbestos even though the use of other types was outlawed years ago. See: Asbestos still in use despite known dangers.

Asbestos Legacy in Pristina

May 9, 2025

Politicians in Lipjan City, Kosovo are calling for the removal of asbestos-cement roofing on public buildings as a matter of urgency because of the continuing health hazard they pose to people in this Pristina District city. During a debate last week in the Municipal Assembly in Lipjan, Opposition leader Arsim Jashari said: “We have a fairly large number of public and private buildings in the municipality of Lipjan that were built years ago, so citizens can suffer direct damage from this asbestos material… municipal institutions must urgently engage in removing all this material from all public buildings.” Responding to Jashari’s comments, Lipjan’s Mayor Imri Ahmeti said work was underway in dealing with the issue. See: In Lipjan, urgent removal of asbestos materials from public buildings is required.

Asbestos on the Beach

May 9, 2025

Last week, New Zealand’s Education Ministry warned officials at 200 schools about asbestos contamination identified on Tāmaki estuary beaches. Officials at Glendowie School took immediate action to stop all school trips to local beaches which were known to be littered with asbestos-cement waste. According to Dr Julie Chambers, a spokesperson for the Tāmaki Estuary Protection Society: “There are a lot of very, very concerned residents.” The local council said that the risk was “considered extremely low to beach-users…” See: Asbestos-laden fibre cement board washing up on Tāmaki Estuary beaches.

Toxic Asbestos Legacy

May 9, 2025

An interview by reporter Antonio Valletta with journalist Giacinto Bevilacqua about his recent book “Mezzo litro di latte” (Half a Liter of Milk) was uploaded last week to a news portal in Venice, Italy. The title came from the common practice of asbestos companies in Italy to supply milk as a supposed antidote for workers at their toxic factories who spent their working lives engulfed in clouds of asbestos dust. Touching interviews with workers, widows, children, doctors, activists and trade unionists revealed the festering wounds, physical and emotional, left by this deadly industry. See: Quando mezzo litro di latte era l’antidoto: in un libro parlano le vittime dell’amianto [When half a liter of milk was the antidote: asbestos victims speak out in book].

São Paulo Legal Victory

May 6, 2025

Recognizing the causal link between workplace asbestos exposure and the asbestos lung cancer contracted by a retired worker, a São Paulo Regional Labor Court doubled to R$200,000 (US$35,000) the compensation for moral damages and awarded the 80-year-old retired Eternit worker a lifetime monthly pension equivalent to 100% of his final salary. The verdict condemned the company for failing to take timely measures to eliminate the use of asbestos from its production processes. See: Justiça concede dano moral e pensão mensal vitalícia a trabalhador com doença causada por inalação de amianto [Court awards moral damages and a lifetime monthly pension to a worker with a disease caused by asbestos inhalation].