Throughout the 20th century, London experienced extensive residential, commercial, and industrial development, particularly during the post-war rebuilding period from the 1950s through to the late 1990s. During this time, asbestos was widely used across the UK construction industry because of its durability, insulation properties, and resistance to heat and fire.

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As London expanded and rebuilt after World War II, asbestos-containing materials became common in homes, council housing, schools, hospitals, offices, factories, railway buildings, and public infrastructure. It was widely used in materials such as textured coatings (including Artex), asbestos cement roofing, insulation boards (AIB), pipe lagging, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, boiler insulation, and fireproof panels.

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Due to the age and variety of buildings across London, many properties constructed or refurbished before 2000 may still contain asbestos today. This includes Victorian buildings later modernised with asbestos materials, post-war housing estates, commercial offices, warehouses, and industrial sites throughout Greater London.

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As medical evidence linking asbestos exposure to serious illnesses became more widely recognised during the 1980s and 1990s, the UK introduced increasingly strict regulations. This eventually led to a complete ban on asbestos use in the UK.

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Today, asbestos remains a common issue during refurbishment, renovation, and demolition projects across London. While asbestos materials are generally safe if left undisturbed, professional surveys and controlled removal are essential to protect health and ensure compliance with current UK regulations.