Asbestos is a mineral that was commonly used in building materials from the 1950s to the 1980s. It was praised for its affordability, durability, and resistance to heat and fire. However, the health hazards of asbestos were only identified in the 1970s when it was discovered that exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious and even fatal conditions such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

Although the use of asbestos in construction has been banned in the UK since 1999, many buildings still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that pose a significant health risk. Therefore, if you own or manage a property built before the year 2000, you should have a professional asbestos survey to determine whether there are any ACMs present in your building.