Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals: chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite. These minerals are highly resistant to heat and chemicals, which made them popular in the construction industry in the late 19th century. Asbestos was used in buildings for insulation, fireproofing, and sound attenuation. It was also used in many consumer products such as brake pads, textiles, and roof tiles.

Asbestos can be highly dangerous when the fibres are released into the air and inhaled. The fibres can accumulate in the lungs causing damage and scarring over time, leading to diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis. These diseases are generally not curable, and they have a long latency period before symptoms develop.