Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction materials in the UK until the late 1990s. It was used as an insulator, fire retardant and in other materials such as tiles, cement and pipes.

However, prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. As a result, asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999 and all buildings constructed before this date are likely to contain asbestos material.

Therefore, if you own or occupy a building that was built before 2000, you should consider having an asbestos survey carried out. This will help identify any asbestos material present in your building and assess its condition.