Asbestos is a group of naturally-occurring silicate minerals that were once widely used in construction materials due to their durability, fire resistance, and insulating properties. However, it was later discovered that asbestos can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, when its fibers are inhaled into the lungs. Asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, but many buildings still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that were installed before the ban.