Asbestos based materials: new lights for an old problem and worrisome problem

Abstract

The confirmation of the carcinogenic potential of asbestos fibres show that all the asbestos based materials present some kind of risk to human health having being considered a hazardous waste according to the European Waste List. Asbestos fibres are present in insulation materials, partition walls, corrugated roofing sheets and water pipes. Although they have been banned in 52 countries they are still being produced in more than 100 countries. The present paper reviews current knowledge about asbestos based materials, it covers asbestos toxicity, legal regulations and recycling treatments. It also discusses the possibility of rehabilitation buried asbestos cement pipes by lining them with geopolymers.