Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in rocks and soil. It was used extensively in building materials between the 1950s and 1980s because of its excellent insulation properties, and also because of its fireproof characteristics. However, it was discovered that prolonged exposure to asbestos could be seriously harmful to health, and it has been banned from use in the UK since 1999.

Asbestos can take many forms, and it can be difficult to identify without expert knowledge. It has been divided into three types, which are as follows:

• Chrysotile - which is white and made up of long, curly fibres
• Amosite - which is brown and made up of short, straight fibres
• Crocidolite - which is blue and made up of straight, needle-like fibres

Each different form of asbestos can pose a hazard to human health if inhaled, so it is important to identify and manage any asbestos-containing materials in your property.