Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in building materials for decades because of its heat-resistant and insulating properties. However, it has since been discovered that asbestos is a dangerous substance that can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, when its fibers become airborne and are inhaled.

Asbestos was used in a range of building materials, including insulation, flooring, roofing, and cement, and it can be found in any building constructed before the 1990s.