Asbestos refers to a group of six naturally occurring minerals that are made up of fine, durable fibres. It was widely used in building materials because of its durability and heat-resistant properties. These properties make asbestos a useful addition to cement, wall panels, insulation boards, and many other products. It was particularly popular in the UK from the 1950s up to the 1980s.

The problem with asbestos is that inhaling its fibres over extended periods of time can cause several lung diseases, including cancer. Mesothelioma, a type of cancer, is a long-term effect of asbestos exposure. The tragedy is that it can take between 10 and 50 years for these diseases to develop. Many people exposed to asbestos have died due to these fatal illnesses.

Asbestos is no longer used in the building industry, but any older buildings may still contain it. Asbestos-containing materials are not automatically dangerous. They are only dangerous when damaged or when asbestos fibres get released into the air. This scenario occurs during repairs, renovation, or demolition, when the materials get disturbed, and the fibres become airborne.