Asbestos-related diseases cause over 200,000 deaths each year

In observance of the ‘World Day in Memory of Asbestos Victims,’ commemorated on April 28th, Ezio Bonanni, President of the National Asbestos Observatory, has expressed serious concerns regarding public health. It is estimated that in Italy alone, 7,000 fatalities occurred in 2024, and globally, over 200,000 deaths annually are attributable to asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These figures are believed to be conservative, as they do not encompass unreported cases of asbestos-related illnesses and deaths from certain states, nor do they account for deaths resulting from environmental exposure. While 62 countries worldwide, including Italy, which implemented a ban in 1992, have prohibited asbestos, numerous nations, such as Russia, India, and China, persist in producing and exporting materials containing this fiber, posing concealed risks of environmental contamination. The situation in Italy is further complicated by delays in remediation efforts. Approximately 40 million tons of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials have been identified in around 100,000 officially registered sites. Comprehensive mapping remains incomplete due to the inadequate implementation of Law 257/92. Critical issues are present in Italian schools, hospitals, and water networks, as these structures were constructed before 1992 and have not undergone complete remediation. Data from the National Asbestos Observatory indicate that the Italian regions projected to experience the highest incidence of asbestos-related fatalities in 2024 are Lombardy (2000+), Piedmont (approximately 1000), Emilia Romagna (660), Liguria (600+), and Lazio (500+).