Brasilit
Brasilit was Brazil's leading asbestos-cement manufacturer, producing corrugated roofing sheets and water tanks.
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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.
Pays où on le trouve couramment
Marques commerciales
Comment l'identifier
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.
Risque sanitaire et friabilité
Ce matériau a un niveau de risque de 2 sur 5.
Il est classé comme non-friable, ce qui signifie que les fibres d'amiante sont fermement liées dans la matrice du matériau. En bon état et non perturbé, le risque de libération de fibres est faible. Cependant, couper, percer, poncer ou casser le matériau peut libérer des fibres dangereuses.
Que faire si vous trouvez ce matériau
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.
Questions fréquentes
When did Brazil ban asbestos?
Does Brasilit still make roofing sheets?
Is my Brasilit water tank dangerous?
How widespread are Brasilit products in Brazil?
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