Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was frequently used in building materials in the past. While asbestos was commonly used for its durability and heat resistance, it was later discovered that asbestos is a toxic substance that can cause severe respiratory illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Asbestos is commonly found in buildings built before the year 2000, including homes, offices, hospitals and schools. If you are planning a refurbishment or demolition of a building, you need to ensure that an asbestos survey is carried out beforehand to determine the presence of asbestos.