Asbestos in older buildings: when to test and when to leave it alone

What the EPA says about where asbestos is found, why you cannot identify it by looking, when materials can be left in place, and when to bring in a professional.

Asbestos was widely used in building products for much of the twentieth century, and many older homes, schools and commercial buildings still contain it. The good news is that asbestos-containing material is generally not dangerous while it is intact and undisturbed. The risk comes when it is damaged or disturbed and fibres get into the air. This guide summarises the US Environmental Protection Agency’s public guidance so you can decide when to test, when to leave things alone and when to call a licensed professional.

Where asbestos is found

According to the EPA, asbestos appears in common building materials including vinyl floor tiles, roofing shingles, insulation (particularly vermiculite-based products), textured paint, pipe wrapping and furnace components. It is also found in automobile brakes and clutches. If your building was built before the 1980s, assume that some of its materials could contain asbestos until they have been tested.

You cannot tell by looking

The EPA is clear that you cannot determine whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it. Only laboratory analysis of a sample identifies it. That is why guessing, in either direction, is a mistake: materials that look harmless may contain asbestos, and materials that look old and suspicious may not.

Health effects

The EPA says exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung disease, including lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the lung and abdomen) and asbestosis (a progressive lung disease). Symptoms can take decades to appear. That long delay is one reason regulators focus on preventing exposure during renovation work rather than treating problems afterwards.

Material in good condition: leave it alone

The EPA’s homeowner guidance is that material that is in good condition and will not be disturbed should be left alone, and that testing is not necessary for materials you will not remodel or disturb. Intact asbestos-containing material poses minimal risk. Keep an eye on it, limit access to areas where it might be bumped, and record where it is.

When testing does make sense

• Before renovation or demolition. If you plan to remodel, remove flooring, tear out plaster or ceilings, or demolish anything in an older building, materials that will be disturbed should be tested first.
• When material is damaged. Crumbling, water-damaged or torn insulation, pipe wrap or ceiling material needs assessment.
• When you are buying or managing an older building. A survey by a qualified inspector gives you a record of what is there.

Do not sample it yourself

The EPA says that taking samples yourself is not recommended, because improper sampling can itself release fibres, and professionals know what to look for and how to collect material safely. Never dust, sweep, vacuum, sand, saw, drill or scrape suspected asbestos materials. The EPA also warns that an ordinary vacuum cleaner should never be used for cleanup; only HEPA-filtered equipment operated by trained people is appropriate.

If material is damaged

If asbestos material is damaged, the EPA says repair or removal by a trained and accredited asbestos professional is needed. In the meantime, keep people out of the affected area and do not try to clean it up yourself. Removal and major repair are jobs for professionals who are trained and licensed.

Rules for larger buildings

The EPA explains that its asbestos NESHAP regulations require the owner or operator of a building to notify the appropriate state agency before any demolition, and before renovations involving more than a threshold amount of asbestos-containing material. They apply to most structures except residential buildings with four or fewer units. Asbestos professionals must be accredited through training at least as stringent as the EPA Model Accreditation Plan, and there are requirements for removing and disposing of asbestos-containing waste. State and local rules may be stricter. Public and non-profit schools are covered by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA): they must inspect for asbestos, re-inspect every three years and keep an asbestos management plan on site, according to the EPA.

Next steps

1. Identify the work you plan and the materials it will disturb.
2. Hire a licensed inspector or consultant to sample and test those materials.
3. If asbestos is found and will be disturbed, hire a licensed abatement contractor. Our guide on hiring an abatement contractor covers what to check.
4. Find the state agency that licenses professionals through the EPA’s state asbestos contacts, and see how licensing works in four states.

Updated 2026-09-30.