Asbestos is a dangerous material that was widely used in building construction until the 1980s. It was valued for its strength and fire-retardant properties, but it was later discovered that exposure to asbestos fibers could cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

As a result, asbestos has been banned in many countries, including the UK, and the government has set strict guidelines and regulations regarding its removal and disposal. If your building was built before the 1980s, it's likely that it contains asbestos-containing materials that need to be removed.