Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction materials before it was banned in the UK in 1999. Asbestos was popular due to its excellent fire-resistant properties, insulation capabilities, and durability. Unfortunately, asbestos is also highly toxic and can cause serious lung conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.

Asbestos-containing materials can be found in a variety of forms, including roofing tiles, insulation, floor tiles, duct insulation, drywall joint compound, and pipe insulation. Asbestos can be present in any building constructed before 2000, and the likelihood of asbestos-containing materials increases with the age of the building.