Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that has been widely used in the UK and worldwide in various construction, insulation and fire-proofing products since the late 19th century until it was gradually banned in the UK from 1985 onwards. Asbestos is a highly hazardous material that, when disturbed or damaged, releases microscopic fibres into the air that can be inhaled and cause serious and fatal health problems, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos-related diseases can take years or even decades to develop, and there is currently no cure for them.

Asbestos can be found in many types of buildings, including residential, commercial and industrial ones, as well as in the soil, water and air. You cannot see, smell or taste asbestos fibres, making it all the more dangerous. Asbestos materials can be disturbed and dislodged by simple activities such as drilling, sawing, sanding, scraping or breaking, as well as by natural aging, wear and tear, weathering, flooding or fire damage.