Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in building materials in the UK between the 1950s and 1980s. Asbestos can be found in a variety of materials such as insulation boards, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, roofing sheets and pipe insulation. It is a highly dangerous material, and prolonged exposure to asbestos can cause life-threatening diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Asbestos testing involves taking samples of materials suspected to contain asbestos and analyzing them for the presence of asbestos fibers. Asbestos testing is carried out to determine if a building contains asbestos, the type of asbestos present, and the condition of the materials.