Asbestos is a mineral fiber that occurs naturally in rock and soil. It has been widely used in building materials and products due to its strength, insulation, and fire-resistant properties. Some of the most common asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) include:

• Roofing and flooring tiles
• Ceiling tiles and decorative plasterwork
• Insulation materials (e.g., pipe and tank lagging)
• Cement and brickwork
• Textured coatings and paints

When these materials are damaged or disturbed, they can release asbestos fibers into the air that can be inhaled and cause health problems. The risk depends on many factors, such as the type of asbestos, the amount and frequency of exposure, and the person's age, health status, and genetic susceptibility.

There are six types of asbestos fiber, but only three were commonly used in construction:

• Chrysotile (white asbestos) accounts for about 95% of all asbestos use worldwide
• Amosite (brown asbestos) accounts for about 5% of all asbestos use worldwide
• Crocidolite (blue asbestos) accounts for less than 1% of all asbestos use worldwide

All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic and can cause mesothelioma (a rare cancer that affects the lungs and abdomen), lung cancer, and asbestosis (a chronic lung disease that impairs breathing). Even brief exposure to asbestos can have long-term consequences, and symptoms may not appear until decades later.