Asbestos in Older Buildings Presents an Ongoing Public Health Issue

Decades after its use was curtailed in many parts of the world, asbestos remains a silent and persistent threat, embedded within the very structures meant to protect us: our homes, schools, and offices. 

This “legacy asbestos” constitutes one of the most significant and misunderstood public health challenges of our time. While the dangers of occupational exposure are well-documented, a growing body of evidence reveals a more pervasive risk to the general public from asbestos in existing buildings. From the unregulated landscapes of Central Asia to the suburban neighborhoods of the United States, the presence of this carcinogen in older construction presents an ongoing hazard that demands urgent awareness, proactive testing, and professional intervention.

A Global Problem with Local Consequences

A stark illustration of the problem’s scale can be found in the nations of Central Asia. A recent study published in Nature highlights the extensive and unabated use of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the region, largely a legacy of Soviet-era construction practices. 

Chrysotile, AKA White Asbestos: The Most Common Type

Chrysotile asbestos, produced in neighboring Kazakhstan and Russia, was ubiquitously used in roofing, water pipes, and insulation in residential and public buildings. The research points to a dire situation where aging materials are deteriorating without any regulatory framework for safe management or disposal. As these buildings crumble, they release toxic fibers into the environment, contributing to alarmingly high rates of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. This situation serves as a grim cautionary tale: a lack of regulation, combined with aging infrastructure, creates a perfect storm for a public health catastrophe that will unfold for generations.

A Local Issue

While it is tempting to view this as a distant problem, the reality is that the United States faces its own version of a legacy asbestos crisis. The key difference is not the absence of the material, but a dangerous gap in public awareness and a patchwork of inconsistent regulations. A revealing 2025 national survey conducted by GlobeNewswire found that a staggering 91% of American homeowners have never tested their homes for asbestos. 

The survey reveals a critical blind spot, as millions of homes built before the mid-1980s are highly likely to contain asbestos in flooring, “popcorn” ceilings, insulation, siding, and adhesives. The survey further revealed that while 82% of U.S. adults believe asbestos testing should be legally required before any home sale or renovation, no such federal mandate exists, unlike the requirements for lead paint disclosure. This leaves homeowners, buyers, and renters in a perilous position, often unknowingly living with a hazardous material until a renovation or accidental damage turns a dormant risk into an airborne threat.

The Science of Airborne Risk

The misconception that asbestos is only dangerous when it is being actively ripped out during demolition is one of the most hazardous fallacies surrounding the issue. Scientific research confirms that asbestos fibers can become airborne even in seemingly undisturbed environments. A crucial study, “Airborne asbestos fiber concentration in buildings: Surveys carried out in Latium (central Italy)”, published in the journal Geosciences, provides clear evidence of this ongoing risk. 

Methodology: Searching for a Microscopic Killer

Researchers sampled the air in schools and hospitals known to contain asbestos materials and found detectable levels of asbestos fibers circulating indoors, even in the absence of any maintenance or renovation activities. The study concluded that the simple degradation and aging of materials, along with minor vibrations and routine activities, can be enough to release these microscopic, carcinogenic fibers into the air we breathe. This finding is profoundly important, as it proves that simply coexisting with legacy asbestos poses a chronic, low-level exposure risk that can accumulate over time, leading to fatal diseases decades later.

A Call for Vigilance: What You Must Do

This ongoing public health issue demands a fundamental shift in how we approach older buildings. For homeowners and residents, the first step is awareness. If your home was built before the mid-1980s, you should assume that asbestos-containing materials are present until proven otherwise through professional testing. It is critical to resist the urge to handle the material yourself. DIY removal is exceedingly dangerous; without proper containment, ventilation, and personal protective equipment, a homeowner can easily cross-contaminate their entire living space, turning a localized problem into a widespread hazard that endangers everyone in the household.

A Warning to Real Estate Professionals and their Clients

For prospective homebuyers, the message is equally clear: make asbestos testing a standard part of your due diligence. The GlobeNewswire survey indicated that more than one-third of buyers would walk away from a deal if asbestos was discovered, highlighting its significant impact on a property’s marketability and value. An asbestos inspection contingency can protect both your family’s health and your financial investment.

Asbestos Exposure is the Top Occupational Risk for Lung Cancer

For workers in construction, maintenance, and renovation, the risk is acute. Employers have a legal and ethical obligation to identify asbestos hazards and protect their employees from exposure. Workers should be trained to recognize potential ACMs and should never be asked to handle or disturb them without proper certification and safety protocols in place.

Ultimately, the only safe and effective solution is to engage licensed and certified asbestos abatement professionals. These experts are trained to handle, remove, and dispose of asbestos safely. They use highly controlled methods, including sealing off work areas, creating negative air pressure to prevent fibers from escaping, and using specialized HEPA filtration systems. 

Why Using a Pro for Asbestos is Worth It

While professional abatement represents an expense, it should be viewed not as a mere renovation cost, but as an essential investment in long-term health and safety. The cost of inaction—measured in fatal illnesses like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer—is infinitely higher. The legacy asbestos problem will not solve itself; it will only worsen as buildings continue to age. The time for proactive testing and professional remediation is now.