Asbestos is a mineral that has long been prized for its strength, durability, insulation properties, and resistance to heat and fire. It was used in countless construction and manufacturing products from the early 19th century to the late 1990s, including roofing tiles, insulation, pipe and ductwork insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, and more.

However, the same qualities that make asbestos such a desirable material also make it extremely hazardous when it is damaged, disturbed or removed. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can lodge themselves in the lungs, leading to severe respiratory diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. These conditions can take years or even decades to manifest, meaning that a person can be exposed to asbestos without knowing it.

The UK government banned the import and use of blue asbestos in 1985. Brown asbestos was banned in 1986, followed by white asbestos in 1999.