Eternit

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Image:Eternite-house.jpg

Eternit is a brand of roofing and panelling material made of fibres and cement.

Originally the fibres were asbestos, and the material was commonly used in housebuilding because of its low cost, fire-resistance, light weight and other properties.

Now, after the discovery of asbestos extremely high carcinogenic toxicity, its use is forbidden in many countries although it is still sold "under the counter" in some places, especially in coastal areas where Eternit stands the climate much better than other materials. Many ex-workers have sued the company. How the Eternit in use should be handled differs from country to country. In the USA most scientists advise removing it from houses and removal has to be done by specialized technicians.^{[citation needed]} In other countries, like Sweden, the advice is to keep it as it is considered best not to disturb it and risk release of asbestos.[1]

[edit] In South Africa

In South Africa a factory was built by Everite at Brakenfell near Cape Town to manufacture asbestos-cement roofing and other fibre-cement products. The roof of the factory was manufactured with the newly installed machinery.

The use of asbestos has also been discontinued by Everite and a new cement based composite material Nutec has replaced the old product range.