Across the United States, younger homebuyers are increasingly unwilling to take chances when it comes to asbestos. 

A recent survey commissioned by AsbestosClaims.law found that more than one-third of prospective homebuyers (35%) say they would walk away from a deal if asbestos was discovered, with Millenials (36%) (and Gen X (35%) responders expressing the most concern. These numbers are significantly higher than older generations, signaling a shift in how Americans assess health risks in residential properties.

Generational Caution: Why Asbestos Matters More Now

Homes constructed before 1980 frequently contain asbestos in a range of building materials, including insulation, floor tiles, roofing shingles, and pipe wrapping[1]. At the time, asbestos was valued for its durability, heat resistance, and fireproofing qualities, making it a common choice for builders. However, many homeowners remain unaware that these materials still reside within their walls, ceilings, and basements, often undisturbed and sealed away.

Friable Asbestos: When Asbestos Fibers Fragment

The danger arises not from the presence of asbestos alone, but from its disturbance. Renovation projects, plumbing work, natural disasters, or even DIY fixes can unknowingly disrupt asbestos-containing materials, releasing microscopic fibers into the air. Once airborne, asbestos becomes a serious hazard. Inhalation of these microscopic particles can lead to diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.[2]

Millennials and Gen Xers, many of whom have seen media coverage of lawsuits and high-profile contamination cases involving these diseases, are showing a strong interest in understanding what’s behind the walls of the homes they’re buying or renting. Gen Xers (40%) were the most likely to say they would walk away from a home purchase if asbestos was discovered. By the same token, Millennials (17%) were the most likely to know whether their home contains asbestos compared to 13% of Gen Z, 8% of Gen X, and just 1% of Boomers.

Boomers and Silent Generation respondents, most apt to hold the belief that asbestos is an issue of the past, are also more likely than Millennials and Gen Xers to accept asbestos in a property, often citing familiarity with older construction methods and a willingness to address issues later.

Buying and Renting: A Common Concern

While homeownership drives the majority of asbestos concerns, renters are not far behind. With many Millennials still in the rental market, their expectations have shifted toward greater transparency and accountability from landlords. Tenants increasingly ask about asbestos testing and request disclosures before signing leases, especially in buildings older than 40 years.

This shift creates new pressure on landlords, who may be legally required to inform tenants of known asbestos risks. Under the legal doctrine of “duty to warn,” failure to disclose can result in financial liability if exposure causes harm.

Natural Disasters Expose a Bigger Problem

Wildfires, hurricanes, and floods often destroy property, but for homes built before asbestos was phased out, disasters can also release toxic materials into the air. In fire-prone areas like California, Colorado, and parts of the Midwest, burned homes have left behind asbestos-contaminated debris, putting entire neighborhoods at risk.

Homeowner’s Insurance May Not Cover All the Damage

Insurance coverage for these events remains inconsistent across regions and policies. Some policies exclude asbestos-related cleanup, while others offer limited support for debris removal and remediation. Homeowners caught in this gap often face unexpected cleanup bills, or worse, exposure without protection.

This risk isn’t lost on younger buyers, many of whom are relocating to suburbs and rural areas where wildfires are becoming more frequent. Testing for asbestos before purchasing becomes not just a precaution, but a way to prevent large-scale financial and medical problems down the road.

Health, Marketability, and the Long-Term View

Gen X and Millennial homebuyers aren’t just worried about their own health but thinking ahead. A home with asbestos is harder to renovate, more difficult to insure, and often less desirable on resale. If asbestos is discovered during home inspection or construction, abatement[3] can cost thousands, delaying projects, and triggering disclosure obligations to future buyers.

In one cautionary case, contractors working on infrastructure in New York discovered asbestos in an aging tunnel system. The delays, remediation, and legal consequences cost the city time and money, and left residents worried about long-term contamination. While homeowners may not be managing subway tunnels, the lesson remains the same—if asbestos isn’t handled correctly, it can become a legal and financial nightmare.

Getting Professional Help

The push for professional asbestos inspections is growing, especially among the younger generations. Certified specialists can test homes safely, following federal guidelines that prevent contamination during sampling. Still, 91% of survey respondents indicated their residences have never been tested. That means the majority of real estate could still be harmful, with asbestos lurking behind walls and beneath floorboards unbeknownst to those living there.

Attempting to remove asbestos without the right training is not only hazardous, but can be illegal, depending on how the material is removed and disposed of. DIY projects that disturb asbestos-laden tiles, siding, or insulation may release harmful particles and violate local regulations, leading to hefty fines and dire consequences. Instead, licensed abatement teams are trained to handle contaminated materials using sealed environments and specialized equipment, minimizing exposure risk.

The Future of Disclosure in Real Estate

As Gen X and Millennials take control of the housing market, expectations around asbestos transparency are increasing. Many are pushing for routine environmental assessments during real estate transactions, and legal experts predict a rise in disclosure standards as public awareness grows.

Current real estate law varies by state. In some areas, sellers are not required to disclose asbestos unless they have direct knowledge of it. Others demand written documentation or disclosures during closing. Buyers and renters who ask about asbestos directly are more likely to receive truthful answers, especially if backed by legal precedent.

Increased scrutiny from Millennials and Gen Xers may soon make testing a part of the standard homebuying process. A whopping 82% of survey respondents, in general, said they believed testing for asbestos should be legally before a sale. These sentiments echo those that would eventually lead to led paint disclosures becoming mandatory for homes built before 1978. Soon identifying and disclosing asbestos in older properties may also become the norm.

Generations Shaping a Safer Market

The numbers from AsbestosClaims.law report leave little doubt. Those looking to buy or rent a new property are concerned about far more than aesthetics or square footage. They want to make sure their health and safety remain protected as well. Gen X and Millennials, in particular, are leading the charge toward safer, healthier homes. This means, sellers and landlords should be aware that the presence of asbestos could very well be a dealbreaker.

[1]Guth, K., Desai, U., McCluskey, J., & Harbison, R. (2020). Asbestos exposure risk from ceiling and other building materials. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences, 12(4), 46–59. https://doi.org/10.5897/JTEHS2020.0467. 

[2] Klebe, S., Leigh, J., Henderson, D. W., & Nurminen, M. (2019). Asbestos, Smoking and Lung Cancer: An Update. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(1), 258. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010258.

[3] Lange, J., Mastrangelo, G. & Cegolon, L. Asbestos abatement workers versus asbestos workers: Exposure and health-effects differ. IJOMEH 24, 418–419 (2011). https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-011-0039-6.