Asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999, but many buildings constructed before that time may still contain asbestos materials. Asbestos fibers are small, lightweight, and can remain in the air for a long time, making it easy to inhale them without realizing it. Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems, including:

• Mesothelioma: a rare cancer that affects the protective lining of the lungs, abdomen, or other organs.
• Lung cancer: a type of cancer that starts in the lungs and may spread to other parts of the body.
• Asbestosis: a chronic lung disease that causes shortness of breath, coughing, and other respiratory problems.

The risk of asbestos-related diseases increases with the amount and duration of exposure, so it is important to take asbestos seriously and take action to remove it from your building.