Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction and manufacturing in the UK until the late 1990s. It was prized for its fire-retardant properties, high tensile strength, and heat resistance. However, it was later discovered that exposure to asbestos fibres could cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

Asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, but many buildings still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), especially those built before the 1980s. These materials can pose a serious risk to the health of building occupants and anyone who disturbs them during renovation or demolition.