Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction and manufacturing industries until the 1980s. It was used for its fireproofing, insulation and durability properties. However, the use of asbestos was stopped as it was discovered that it was highly toxic and could cause serious health problems. It can cause cancer, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. The most common way that people are exposed to asbestos is through breathing in the fibres, which are too small to see or detect without specialist equipment.