Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the environment. It was widely used in the construction industry from the 1950s to the 1980s for its fire-retardant properties and its ability to insulate against heat and noise. However, the use of asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, due to its health risks.

Asbestos dust and fibres are invisible to the naked eye, which makes it difficult to detect where they are present. Inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause several deadly diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

There are different types of asbestos, and each has its own degree of health risk:

• Chrysotile: Also known as white asbestos, it is the most widely used type of asbestos. Its fibres are fine and flexible, making them easy to inhale deep into the lungs. Chrysotile is the least hazardous type of asbestos, but it's still a dangerous substance.

• Amosite: Also known as brown asbestos, it has thicker and more rigid fibres than chrysotile. Amosite can cause more severe lung damage than chrysotile.

• Crocidolite: Also known as blue asbestos, it has long, thin, and straight fibres, making them the most dangerous type of asbestos. Inhalation of crocidolite fibres can cause the highest risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.