Most people associate asbestos with industrial buildings and factories, but the truth is that asbestos can be found in any building constructed before the year 2000. Asbestos-containing materials were widely used in building construction, and it was only in the 2000s that the dangers of asbestos were more widely acknowledged. Asbestos was widely used in construction because of its heat-resistant nature, durability, and resistance to fire.

However, this material poses a significant risk to human health. When disturbed, asbestos material can release small, almost invisible fibers into the air that can be inhaled. These fibers can cause serious health issues such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The risk of developing these illnesses increases with the amount of asbestos fibers ingested.