Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was extensively used in the construction, manufacturing and automotive industries from the 1900s to the 1980s. It was prized for its heat, fire and chemical resistance, insulation and reinforcement properties, and cost-effectiveness. However, asbestos is also highly toxic and carcinogenic if inhaled, ingested or touched, and can cause serious and fatal illnesses such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis and pleural thickening. Asbestos-related diseases can take years or even decades to manifest, and there is no cure or treatment, only prevention.

Asbestos can be found in various forms and products, such as:

• Sprayed coatings and insulation on ceilings, walls, beams and pipes
• Textured coatings and plasters on ceilings and walls
• AIB (Asbestos Insulating Board) on walls, ceilings, partitions, fire doors, soffits and fascias
• Vinyl tiles and sheet flooring, and adhesives
• Asbestos cement products such as roofing sheets, gutters, pipes, flues, tanks and fascias
• Brake linings and clutch facings in vehicles and machinery
• Boiler and thermal insulation

Asbestos fibres are tiny and invisible to the naked eye, and can easily become airborne when disturbed or damaged through cutting, breaking, drilling, sawing or sanding. Therefore, any building or product that was built or installed before the year 2000 is likely to contain asbestos, and needs to be assessed and managed accordingly.