Asbestos is a natural mineral that was widely used in construction and industrial applications in the UK from the 1950s until the late 1990s. It was valued for its fire-resistant properties, insulation abilities, and durability. Unfortunately, asbestos is also highly dangerous when its fibres are released into the air and inhaled. Asbestos fibres can cause various severe respiratory diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These diseases can develop many years after exposure to asbestos, and there is no cure once diagnosed.