Asbestos is made up of six naturally occurring minerals that can be found in rocks and soils. It was widely used in the construction of buildings between the 1950s and 1990s because of its insulating and fire-resistant properties. Buildings built or renovated during this time may still contain asbestos materials.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they release fibres into the air that can be inhaled. Once inhaled, these fibres can cause damage to the lungs, leading to a range of serious health problems. These can include asbestosis (scarring of the lung tissue), lung cancer, and mesothelioma (a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lung).