Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of long, thin fibers. It was widely used in construction materials due to its strength, heat resistance, and insulation properties. However, it was later discovered that asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.

Asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999. However, many buildings constructed before this date still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), such as insulation, roofing, and flooring materials.