Mesothelioma advocates have long warned that asbestos is far from being a thing of the past, and a new report out of Italy shows how easily it can still reach consumers’ doorsteps. In a commentary in the journal Environmental Health, scientists describe contaminated gloves purchased from one of the world’s largest online retailers. An analysis showed that the gloves, sold for 14 euros, or roughly $16 U.S. dollars, were made almost entirely of chrysotile asbestos. They were labeled as having been made in China and carried no warning of the dangers of asbestos.
Asbestos Fibers Linked to Mesothelioma Confirmed in the Lab
The test results detailed in the study written by mineralogist Alessandro Francesco Gualtieri of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and geoscientist Alessandro Cavallo of the University of Milan-Bicocca made the risk of mesothelioma clear. The researchers made two separate purchases of the heat-resistant gloves after a private citizen alerted them to the listing in November 2025. An analysis of fragments using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy revealed that chrysotile made up an estimated 89 percent of the material by weight. The fibers matched the World Health Organization’s definition of respirable asbestos, small enough to lodge deep in the lungs. The gloves also shed dust when handled, so simply putting them on could release fibers into a kitchen or garden.
Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that affects the cavity holding the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Known for its long latency period, it surfaces decades after exposure and then grows aggressively. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified chrysotile asbestos as a known human carcinogen, and all forms of asbestos have been banned in 74 countries, but because chrysotile is not yet listed under the Rotterdam Convention, exporters aren’t required to warn importing countries of health risks.
Asbestos Bans Needed to Prevent Mesothelioma
Advocates working to prevent future cases of mesothelioma say that asbestos needs to be treated as an ongoing global risk rather than a legacy problem. They are working to have mandatory disclosure of asbestos content, accountability for online platforms, and limits on shipping asbestos products into countries where they’re banned. For American consumers, the case is a stark reminder that a low price found on a familiar website doesn’t mean that a product is safe.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
