Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibre that was widely used as a building and industrial material throughout most of the 20th century.
With good insulation and sound-proofing qualities, it had numerous uses. As a result, many industrial buildings and houses from the mid-20th century contain asbestos-contaminated material. By the 1970s it was emerging that asbestos was also extremely hazardous to humans.
Its long, thin fibres, if ingested, could cause a variety of illnesses, including chronic breathing problems and various forms of cancer.
Health problems do not appear immediately and often occur up to 40 years after the fibres have been ingested. As the health problems emerged, various countries, including members of the European Union, introduced laws banning its use in most products.
In 1989 Ireland also introduced regulations regarding the disposal of asbestos material from demolition work.