Asbestos is a mineral that was commonly used in construction materials due to its fire-resistant and insulating properties. It was widely used in buildings up until the 1980s when it was discovered to be a hazardous material. Breathing in asbestos fibers can lead to several illnesses, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) can be found in various places in a building, including floor tiles, insulation, ceilings, pipes, and walls. Asbestos fibers are not visible to the naked eye, and the only way to determine if a material contains asbestos is by conducting an asbestos survey.