Eternit
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217040415
2008-06-04T10:34:19Z
Heron
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rm repetition; other cpyeds
{{Refimprove|date=February 2007}}
[[Image:Eternite-house.jpg|thumb|A house with Eternit roof and paneling.]]
'''Eternit''' is a [[brand]] of roofing and paneling material, commonly called fiber-cement board, made of fibres and [[cement]].
Originally, the fibres were made of [[asbestos]] and the material was commonly used as siding in [[house]] building due to its low cost, fire-resistance, light weight, and other properties. After the discovery that asbestos is highly [[carcinogenic]], its use is now prohibited in some countries. However, it is still sold "under the counter" in some places, especially in coastal areas where it withstands the climate much better than other materials.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Today, Eternit and other manufacturers of fiber-cement board now produce asbestos-free panels.<ref>Eternit [http://www.eternit.ch/index.php?id=17&L=2 100 years Eternit AG] Retrieved on [[6 August]], [[2007]]</ref><ref>International Publications [http://international.sp.nl/publications/asbestos.pdf The Tragedy of Asbestos] Retrieved on [[6 August]], [[2007]]</ref>
Recommendations for the handing of Eternit differ from country to country. In the [[United States|U.S.]] most scientists advise its removal from residential housing by specialized technicians.{{Fact|date=January 2008}}
==In South Africa==
In [[South Africa]] the use of asbestos in the building industry became widespread when a factory was built by [http://www.everite.co.za Everite] at [[Brakenfell]] near [[Cape Town]] to manufacture asbestos-cement roofing and other [[Fiber cement siding|fibre-cement]] products. The roof of the factory was manufactured with the newly installed machinery.
The use of asbestos in the manufacturing of fibre-cement products has now been discontinued by Everite and a new cement-based composite material [http://www.everite.co.za Nutec] has replaced the old product range. The use and handling of asbestos in South Africa is well-regulated and many asbestos-cement roofs and pipelines are completely safe to retain, provided that precautions are taken when [[Drilling and threading|drilling]] or cutting these materials.
The use and disposal of asbestos-wool insulation in ceilings, partitions and power stations is very hazardous and requires expert treatment.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{commonscat|Eternit}}
[[Category:Composite materials]]
[[Category:Building materials]]
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