Asbestos, a naturally occurring fibrous mineral, was commonly used in building materials in the past few decades. It was used for its insulating properties, as well as its resistance to heat and corrosion.

However, it was later discovered to be highly toxic and can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. As a result, asbestos use in building materials was banned in the UK in 1999.

Despite the ban, many buildings in the UK still contain asbestos material, especially those built before the 1990s. It is therefore important to conduct a thorough survey of buildings to identify asbestos-containing materials and have them removed if necessary.