Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in the construction industry in the UK until the mid-1980s, and in some cases as late as the year 2000. ACMs can commonly be found in roof tiles, insulation, pipes, boilers, ceiling tiles, flooring, and many other building materials. The hazardous nature of these materials arises from their friability, which means that they can easily break down into tiny fibres that can be inhaled, leading to serious health issues such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.

Thus, its important to ensure that any building work or renovations involving ACMs are carried out only by licensed professionals, who can safely remove and dispose of the material. However, before any removal work can begin, its essential to determine whether or not the material contains asbestos through thorough testing and surveying.