Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in building materials between the 1950s and 1980s. Despite its widespread use, we now know that asbestos can be incredibly harmful to human health, causing a range of serious illnesses including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

The danger of asbestos comes from the tiny fibres that can be released into the air when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed. These fibres can easily be inhaled, and once they are in the body, they can cause significant damage to the lungs and other organs.