Asbestos is a set of six, naturally-occurring silicate mineral fibres and was once considered to be a very useful mineral because it is strong, flexible, affordable and can insulate from heat and electricity.
Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious and fatal illnesses including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
Asbestos materials includes cement sheeting, which is also often called fibro. Fibro containing asbestos was used in many Queensland buildings before 1990. The sheeting was used for roofs, fences and cladding, and can often be found being used as backing boards in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens.