Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that were widely used in the construction industry from the 1950s to the mid-1980s. Asbestos was popular in the construction industry because of its resistance to fire, heat, and electricity. As such, it was used in a variety of construction materials, including roofing tiles, insulation, floor tiles, cement, and brake pads, among others.

However, the use of asbestos has been linked to various health hazards, including mesothelioma, a type of cancer that mostly affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. Mesothelioma has a long latency period, meaning that it can take up to 50 years after exposure to asbestos for symptoms to appear. Other health conditions associated with asbestos exposure include asbestosis, pleural thickening, and lung cancer.