Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in construction, insulation and other industries from the 1950s to the 1990s. It was appreciated for its durability, heat resistance and low cost, and was added to thousands of building materials, such as roofs, walls, pipes, flooring and ceilings.

However, as studies have shown, asbestos fibers released into the air can be extremely hazardous to human health, causing serious respiratory diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. Asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, but many buildings still contain it, especially those built or renovated before the 1980s.