First things first, let's go over what asbestos actually is. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used heavily in the construction industry throughout the 20th century. It was valued for its heat resistance, tensile strength and insulating properties, and was used in everything from walls and ceilings to boilers, pipes and roofing materials.

However, in the mid-20th century, it was discovered that asbestos was incredibly dangerous when inhaled. Asbestos fibres can cause lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, among other deadly conditions. The use of asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, but buildings constructed before this time may still contain it.