Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in the ground, made up of thin, microscopic fibres. It was a popular building material in the UK between the 1950s and 1990s because of its heat-resistant properties and high tensile strength. Unfortunately, over the years the dangers of asbestos exposure have become all too clear, and extensive use of asbestos in construction, coupled with inadequate health and safety measures, has led to an increase in asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.