Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in the building and construction industry due to its durability, insulation and fire-retardant properties. However, it was discovered that extended exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to severe lung diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. This is why the use of asbestos has been banned in most countries, including the UK.

Although asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are no longer used in building and construction, there are still many buildings that contain asbestos. If you own or manage a building that was built before the year 2000, there is a high probability that it may contain asbestos. Asbestos is not immediately harmful when it's intact, but once it's disturbed or damaged, it can release dangerous asbestos fibres into the air that can be inhaled.