Asbestos Lobbying Organizations

History of Asbestos Lobbying Organizations

In the 1960s, the public learned asbestos causes diseases like mesothelioma. Lawsuits flooded courts worldwide, and governments started banning or restricting asbestos use. While scientists and doctors worked to expose asbestos dangers, the asbestos industry created lobbying groups to protect their financial interests.

These groups used tactics like intimidating activists, suppressing research, controlling local media and influencing politicians to block regulations and warning labels. Internal documents reveal that asbestos companies knew about the dangers of asbestos for decades but deliberately concealed this information to protect profits. Their efforts delayed government action and public warnings despite mounting evidence linking asbestos to mesothelioma cancer, lung cancer and asbestosis.

One of the most notable of these lobbying groups is the Asbestos Information Association of North America. Formed in 1970 with help from Johns-Manville and a public relations firm, the association shifted from sharing information to defending asbestos interests. It fought regulations, warning labels and bans. Although the world recognizes asbestos causes cancer, the industry continues to block restrictions to protect profits.

Active Pro-Asbestos Lobbying Organizations

The global asbestos industry still exploits weak regulations in some developing countries, and pro-asbestos lobbying remains active in the United States. Groups like the American Chemistry Council have worked to delay stronger asbestos regulations. Their lobbying helped secure phased transition periods of up to 12 years under the 2024 ban on chrysotile asbestos. Imports continued as recently as 2022 for industrial uses like the chlor-alkali sector.

Meanwhile, efforts to end all asbestos use in the U.S. continue. The 2025 Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act aims to close loopholes allowing asbestos use. Unlike nearly 70 countries that have fully banned asbestos, the U.S. still permits some use. Advocates and experts keep pressing for a complete ban and an end to all asbestos imports and use.

International Chrysotile Association

The International Chrysotile Association founded in the U.K. in 1976 as the Asbestos International Association. It shifted leadership to developing countries where asbestos use continues and opposes bans on chrysotile asbestos. The group supports studies that downplay asbestos risks and spreads misinformation, using tactics similar to the tobacco industry’s infamous approach.

The association lobbies internationally alongside U.S. chemical industry groups, including the American Chemistry Council, to block strict asbestos bans and promote phased or controlled chrysotile use. It maintains strong influence in countries that still permit asbestos production and use, many of which contribute to ongoing global asbestos consumption. At the 2025 Rotterdam Convention meeting, it welcomed the continued deferral of chrysotile listing, stressing controlled use and distinctions from other asbestos types.

After the 2024 EPA ban on chrysotile asbestos, chemical industry groups successfully pressured the agency to consider delaying enforcement in key sectors, but public outcry in 2025 led the EPA to reaffirm the ban. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration continues to enforce strict workplace asbestos protections. The regulatory landscape remains highly contested, with ongoing legal battles and advocacy shaping U.S. asbestos policy.

Russian Chrysotile Association

Russia leads the world in asbestos mining, and the Chrysotile Association is one of the toxic mineral’s most stalwart advocates. The organization effectively blurs the boundary between the Russian government and mining titans such as Uralasbest.

Exporting asbestos is a multibillion-dollar industry in Russia. The Chrysotile Association exists to protect those profits and ensure asbestos continues to flow into the developing world.

Indian Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association

The Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers Association lobbies for the asbestos industry in India, one of the world’s top consumers of asbestos. The organization receives industry funding to spread misinformation. 

Even while acknowledging the asbestos death toll in the West, it claims asbestos won’t cause illness in India. The ACPMA’s lobbying efforts no doubt played a role in the failure of proposed asbestos bans in 2011 and 2012.

Mexican Institute of Fiber Industries

Based in Mexico, the Mexican Institute of Fiber Industries works to block asbestos regulatory organizations all throughout Latin America. The asbestos industry once had a powerful grip over the region because of cooperation between IMFI and smaller national lobbying organizations.

Thankfully, the asbestos lobby has lost much ground in Latin America in recent years. But that hasn’t stopped the IMFI from continuing to deny the health hazards of working with asbestos. While some states and municipalities in Mexico have begun tightening restrictions, the IMFI continues to mount industry resistance and obstructs widespread protective measures.

American Chemistry Council

In 2025, the EPA drew scrutiny when a senior official who had formerly worked as a director at the American Chemistry Council, a major asbestos industry lobbying group, took part in a review process. This review could have delayed enforcement of the 2024 chrysotile asbestos ban for up to 30 months, but after public and advocacy backlash, the EPA reaffirmed the ban and proceeded with enforcement as planned.

Asbestos awareness advocates and other stakeholders continue to watch how regulatory officials’ past ties to asbestos lobbying affect federal asbestos regulations. This situation highlights the historic and ongoing challenge of fully banning asbestos and protecting public health.

Historical Pro-Asbestos Lobbying Organizations

Anti-asbestos activists have won major victories in the fight against asbestos. The following list highlights some defunct pro-asbestos organizations that once operated in the U.S., Canada and Brazil.

Asbestos Information Association – North America

The Asbestos Information Association was a trade group formed during the final years of the U.S. asbestos cover-up. The association aimed to discredit researchers such as Dr. Irving Selikoff, who reported on asbestos-related diseases. AIA/NA attacked these researchers and questioned the science behind their work.

Johns-Manville led the group, but many asbestos companies were members. Most of these companies have since filed for bankruptcy because of mesothelioma lawsuits.

Canadian Chrysotile Institute

Canada was a leading asbestos supplier during the 20th century. The Canadian Chrysotile Institute worked with the International Chrysotile Association and similar groups worldwide to protect the industry. The institute disbanded in 2012 after the last asbestos mines closed, and its funding ended.

Brazilian Chrysotile Institute

Brazil created its Chrysotile Institute, following the approach of lobbying groups in Canada, Russia and other exporter countries. Brazil briefly became the top asbestos supplier to the U.S. after Canadian exports fell. This changed in 2017, when Brazil banned asbestos and Russia gained near-total control of global asbestos mining.

U.S. Anti-Litigation Lobbying Organizations

Powerful business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and several trade associations, have actively pushed back against liability claims. These organizations lobby for legislation that would restrict plaintiffs’ options, such as limiting discovery, confidentiality protections and access to compensation funds. 

Historically, asbestos lawsuits have been the longest-running mass tort in U.S. history. However, today, most asbestos litigation proceeds as individual cases rather than as large, coordinated mass torts. Claims are typically filed as personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits.

Asbestos Study Group

The Asbestos Study Group is a coalition of companies that took on asbestos-related liabilities after buying former industry firms. This group has spent millions lobbying Congress to pass laws that limit people’s ability to file lawsuits over asbestos-related diseases.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce / Institute for Legal Reform

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a major advocacy group for large businesses. It directs millions to campaigns backing laws organizations such as the American Legislative Exchange Council have written. The Institute for Legal Reform, a Chamber affiliate, also works to reduce lawsuit risks for businesses.

American Legislative Exchange Council

The American Legislative Exchange Council is a group of state legislators who work together to write bills. Most of ALEC’s funding and guidance comes from businesses. Company-backed think tanks create “model bills” and ALEC members introduce them in state legislatures. ALEC has helped many states pass laws that make it harder for people to seek compensation for asbestos exposure.

American Tort Reform Association

The American Tort Reform Association lobbies for companies facing lawsuits over harmful business practices, including asbestos use. The association backs legal reforms that limit mesothelioma compensation and make it harder to sue.

National Association of Manufacturers

The National Association of Manufacturers represents thousands of U.S. manufacturers. Among its efforts, it lobbies for legal changes to reduce companies’ asbestos liabilities.

American Insurance Association / National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies

The American Insurance Association and the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies represent companies that provide property and casualty insurance. These groups work to limit insurance payouts in cases of large settlements over asbestos exposure.

Big Business Asbestos Defendants

Many individual companies, as well as trade groups, provide financial support to politicians who favor business-friendly policies. These companies make campaign contributions and spend millions on lobbying efforts to influence laws and regulations that affect asbestos litigation.

Asbestos Companies That Are Top Political Donors

• 3M Company
• ACE INA Holdings
• Allstate Insurance Company
• Chubb Corporation
• Crown Holdings
• Ford Motor
• Hartford Financial Services Group
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Koch Industries
• Liberty Mutual Group
• Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
• Occidental Petroleum Corporation
• Smiths Group Services Corporation
• The Travelers Companies
• W.R. Grace
• Zurich Insurance Group

These companies have shaped the legal landscape for asbestos lawsuits in the United States. Their influence has affected how courts, lawmakers and the public respond to claims related to asbestos exposure.

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