Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is known for its strength, durability, and heat resistance. Due to these properties, asbestos was widely used in construction materials, such as insulation, roofing, and floor tiles, throughout the 20th century. However, asbestos has been linked to a number of severe respiratory diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, and therefore was declared illegal and cannot be used in construction today.

Asbestos can be found in a wide range of building materials, even in those materials marketed as safe and no asbestos. Even materials that contain only trace amounts of asbestos can pose a significant health risk if they become airborne, and thats why it's important to have all materials suspected of containing asbestos tested to prevent the danger.