Asbestos was once widely used in construction materials, such as insulation, roof tiles, and pipe lagging, due to its heat-resistant and insulating properties. However, since the 1980s, it has been banned as a building material in the UK due to its known health hazards.

Unfortunately, many properties built before the ban may still contain ACMs, which can release asbestos fibres into the air when disturbed or damaged. For example, drilling, sanding, or cutting into ACMs can release dangerous fibres into the air, where they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems.

That's why it's essential to identify and test any suspected ACMs in your property before starting any renovation or demolition work, for instance. Asbestos testing involves taking samples of materials that may contain asbestos and sending them to a laboratory for analysis. The lab will use specialised equipment to determine if the samples contain asbestos, and if so, the type and quantity of asbestos present.