Commercial Brands

Brasilit

Brasilit was Brazil's leading asbestos-cement manufacturer, producing corrugated roofing sheets and water tanks.

Period of use:1940–2017

Peak use:1980s

Friability:Non-friable

Risk level:

Description

Brasilit S.A. was Brazil's most prominent manufacturer of asbestos-cement products and a subsidiary of the French multinational Saint-Gobain. Founded in 1940, the company became the dominant supplier of building materials for Brazilian construction over the following decades, with its corrugated roofing sheets becoming ubiquitous on homes, factories, and agricultural buildings throughout the country.

Brasilit manufactured corrugated roofing sheets, flat building panels, water tanks (caixas d'agua), downpipes, and ridge caps. The corrugated roofing sheets were by far the most widely used product, favored for their low cost, durability, and suitability for Brazil's tropical climate. The products contained chrysotile (white asbestos), sourced primarily from Brazil's own mines in the state of Goias, where the Cana Brava mine was one of the largest chrysotile deposits in the world.

Brazil was the world's third-largest asbestos producer and a major consumer of asbestos products. The asbestos industry wielded significant political influence, and the chrysotile mining sector aggressively promoted the "controlled use" narrative, arguing that chrysotile could be used safely under proper conditions. This lobbying delayed regulatory action for decades.

The fight to ban asbestos in Brazil was long and contentious. Several Brazilian states enacted their own bans before the national prohibition. In November 2017, the Brazilian Supreme Tribunal Federal (STF) ruled that all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, were unconstitutional to mine, process, or commercialize in Brazil. This landmark decision effectively banned asbestos nationwide.

Brasilit and Saint-Gobain transitioned to asbestos-free fiber-cement technology, and Brasilit continues to operate today producing CRFS (cimento reforado com fio sintetico — cement reinforced with synthetic fiber) products. However, the legacy of decades of asbestos-cement production is immense. Millions of Brazilian buildings still have Brasilit asbestos roofing, and the country lacks a comprehensive plan for managing or removing this installed stock. Occupational health studies have documented elevated rates of asbestos-related diseases among former Brasilit factory workers and miners.

Countries where commonly found

🇧🇷 Brazil

🇧🇷 Brazil: Brasilit was Brazil's dominant asbestos-cement brand. Brazil was the world's third-largest asbestos producer before banning chrysotile in 2017. Brasilit roofing is found on millions of Brazilian buildings.

Commercial brands

BrasilitBrasilit S.A.Saint-Gobain Brasilit

How to identify

Brasilit products carry the "BRASILIT" brand name, often stamped or embossed on the material. Corrugated roofing sheets typically display the brand name on the underside along with a production date. Water tanks bear the Brasilit name on the exterior surface. The material has the characteristic grey appearance of asbestos-cement products. In Brazil, any Brasilit cement roofing, tank, or building panel manufactured before late 2017 should be presumed to contain asbestos. Newer products (post-2017) carry markings indicating they are "sem amianto" (without asbestos) or "CRFS." Look for date codes on the product to determine the manufacturing period.

Health risk & friability

This material has a risk level of 2 out of 5.

It is classified as non-friable, meaning the asbestos fibers are tightly bound within the material matrix. When in good condition and left undisturbed, the risk of fiber release is low. However, cutting, drilling, sanding or breaking the material can release dangerous fibers.

What to do if you find this material

If you have Brasilit asbestos-cement products on your building in Brazil, do not cut, drill, or break the material. Intact Brasilit roofing and tanks in good condition pose low immediate risk but become hazardous when damaged or disturbed. For assessment and removal, consult a qualified environmental or occupational health firm. Brazilian regulations (NR-15 and associated norms) govern the handling and disposal of asbestos-containing materials. Removal work requires trained workers with appropriate protective equipment. Asbestos waste must be disposed of at an authorized facility. Check with your state environmental agency (orgao ambiental estadual) for local disposal requirements and any available support programs.

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Frequently asked questions

When did Brazil ban asbestos?

In November 2017, Brazil's Supreme Tribunal Federal ruled that asbestos mining, processing, and commercialization was unconstitutional, effectively banning all forms of asbestos nationwide. Several Brazilian states had enacted earlier bans. Any Brasilit product manufactured before late 2017 should be presumed to contain asbestos.

Does Brasilit still make roofing sheets?

Yes. Brasilit continues to operate as a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, manufacturing fiber-cement roofing sheets and other building products. All current Brasilit products are asbestos-free, using synthetic fibers (CRFS technology) instead of chrysotile. Look for the "sem amianto" or "CRFS" designation on new products.

Is my Brasilit water tank dangerous?

Brasilit water tanks manufactured before 2017 likely contain chrysotile asbestos in the cement matrix. When intact, these tanks pose minimal risk to water quality according to most health authorities, as the fibers are bound in cement. However, cracking, breakage, or aging can release fibers. If the tank is deteriorating, consider replacing it with a modern polyethylene or stainless steel tank and having the old tank professionally disposed of as asbestos waste.

How widespread are Brasilit products in Brazil?

Extremely widespread. Brasilit corrugated roofing sheets are found on millions of Brazilian buildings across all regions and building types — from urban homes to rural agricultural structures. Brazil's warm climate and Brasilit's low-cost products made asbestos-cement roofing the default choice for Brazilian construction for decades.