Colombit
Colombit was a major Colombian asbestos-cement manufacturer and Eternit subsidiary producing roofing, pipes, and tanks.
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Description
Colombit S.A. was one of the largest asbestos-cement manufacturers in Latin America, operating as a subsidiary of the global Eternit group. Founded in 1942, the company was based in Colombia and produced asbestos-cement products for the Colombian domestic market as well as for export to Venezuela, Ecuador, and other Latin American countries.
Colombit manufactured the standard range of asbestos-cement products: corrugated roofing sheets, flat building panels, water and sewage pipes, water tanks, and accessories. The products used chrysotile (white asbestos), sourced from both international suppliers and Colombia's own smaller asbestos deposits. Colombit's corrugated roofing sheets became a standard building material across Colombia, particularly for lower-cost construction.
Colombia was one of the later countries to ban asbestos, despite years of campaigning by health advocates, trade unions, and affected communities. The asbestos industry lobbied intensely against a ban, employing the "controlled use" arguments that had been discredited elsewhere. The town of Sibate, near Bogota, where a major Eternit/Colombit factory operated, experienced elevated rates of asbestos-related diseases among workers and residents.
Ana Cecilia Nino, a Colombian journalist and activist who was diagnosed with mesothelioma after childhood exposure near the Sibate factory, became the face of the anti-asbestos campaign. Her advocacy was instrumental in building public support for a ban. "Ana Cecilia's Law" (Ley 1968 de 2019) was signed on July 11, 2019, prohibiting the use, manufacture, import, and export of asbestos in Colombia with a transition period. The ban took full effect on January 1, 2021.
Today, Colombit and Eternit Colombia have transitioned to asbestos-free fiber-cement production. However, millions of tonnes of installed asbestos-cement products remain in Colombian buildings and infrastructure. Colombia faces significant challenges in managing this legacy, including limited hazardous waste disposal infrastructure, lack of trained asbestos removal professionals, and the need for public education about the risks of disturbing installed asbestos-cement products during renovation and demolition.
Pays où on le trouve couramment
Marques commerciales
Comment l'identifier
Colombit products carry the "COLOMBIT" or "ETERNIT" brand name stamped or embossed on the material. Corrugated roofing sheets typically display the brand on the underside, sometimes with a date code and plant identifier. Pipes bear circumferential markings with the manufacturer name and technical specifications in Spanish. Water tanks may carry the Colombit name on the exterior. The material has the typical grey, dense appearance of asbestos-cement products. In Colombia, any Colombit or Eternit cement roofing, pipe, or panel manufactured before 2021 should be presumed to contain asbestos. Post-2021 products should be marked as asbestos-free ("libre de asbesto").
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 Colombit asbestos-cement products on your building in Colombia, do not cut, drill, sand, or break the material. Intact products in good condition present low immediate risk, but any disturbance can release hazardous fibers. Under Colombia's current regulations, work involving asbestos-containing materials requires trained personnel and appropriate safety measures. Consult a qualified occupational health professional or environmental consultant for assessment. If removal is necessary, ensure workers are properly trained and equipped. Contact your local Corporacion Autonoma Regional (CAR) or the Ministry of Environment for guidance on proper disposal. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease linked to Colombit or Eternit products, consult a lawyer specializing in environmental health cases.
Questions fréquentes
When did Colombia ban asbestos?
Is Colombit the same as Eternit?
Does Colombit still make products?
Who was Ana Cecilia Nino?
Are Colombit roofing sheets common in Colombia?
Matériaux associés
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Asbestos Cement Corrugated Sheet
Corrugated roofing and cladding sheets made with chrysotile asbestos fibres bound in Portland cement.
Asbestos Cement Pipe
Pressure and drainage pipes made from asbestos-reinforced cement, widely used for water mains and sewers.
Asbestos Cement Flat Sheet
Flat pressed sheets of asbestos-reinforced cement used for cladding, soffits, and interior partitions.
Asbestos Cement Water Tank
Cold water storage tanks made from asbestos cement, typically found in loft spaces of older homes.
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