There's widespread confusion about whether asbestos is banned in the United States. The short answer is that some forms are, some forms are not, and the regulatory history is more complicated than most homeowners realize. If you own a home built before 1980, knowing the actual record matters before you renovate.
The regulatory timeline
- 011973–1978: The EPA banned spray-on asbestos fireproofing, insulation, and "popcorn" ceiling textures.
- 021989: The EPA attempted a "Full Ban and Phase-Out" of asbestos in the United States.
- 031991: The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the 1989 ban after an industry challenge. Only a few specific products (flooring felt, corrugated paper) remained banned.
- 04March 18, 2024: The EPA finalized a rule banning chrysotile asbestos — the only form still imported and used in the U.S., primarily in chlorine production and automotive brakes.
Citations: Federal Register 2024, EPA press release, USGS MCS 2025, NIH/PMC, CDC. References are also linked on our Asbestos & Lead service page.
What this means for your home
Homes built before 1980 commonly contain asbestos in materials that were perfectly legal and standard at the time. Many of those materials are still in place today. Disturbing them during renovation — without testing — turns an ordinary remodel into a regulated abatement project.
Common asbestos-containing materials
- Popcorn / textured ceilings (especially pre-1978)
- Drywall joint compound (some formulations through the early 1980s)
- 9x9 floor tiles and 12x12 vinyl floor tiles, including mastic adhesive
- Vinyl sheet flooring backing
- Pipe wrap and HVAC duct insulation
- Cement board (transite) siding and roofing
- HVAC duct tape and sealants
- Furnace and water heater gaskets
- Some electrical wire insulation
- Linoleum backing
When to test before you renovate
Test any material in a pre-1980 home that you intend to disturb (cut, scrape, sand, demolish, or remove). Testing is inexpensive — typically $25 to $75 per sample at a certified lab — and turnaround is usually three to seven days.
Specific scenarios that warrant testing:
- Kitchen or bath renovation in a home built before 1980.
- Removing or texturing a popcorn ceiling.
- Replacing flooring where the original 9x9 or 12x12 tile may still be underneath.
- Removing HVAC ductwork or pipe wrap insulation.
- Roof or siding replacement on a home with transite components.
- Any demolition that disturbs joint compound or plaster in a pre-1980 build.
What we do when a test comes back positive
Wiley Services does not perform asbestos abatement in-house. We coordinate with licensed abatement subcontractors who carry the specialized insurance and OSHA certifications the work requires. We handle:
- Pre-demolition sample collection and lab coordination
- Negotiation with your insurance carrier (if the project is claim-related)
- Engaging the abatement contractor and coordinating their schedule with the rest of the project
- Post-abatement reconstruction once the area is cleared for normal trades
Lead paint — the related concern
Homes built before 1978 frequently contain lead-based paint. Federal RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) rules apply to any disturbance of paint in these homes, and contractors performing the work must be RRP-certified.
Derick Wiley holds RRP certification for Missouri work. For Kansas projects, state-specific requirements may apply and we engage certified subcontractors as needed.
The shortcut warning
If a contractor offers to renovate your pre-1980 home without testing or mentioning asbestos and lead, they are either uninformed or willing to expose your family and their own crew to materials that should have been tested and handled differently. Neither answer is the one you want.
A pre-demo inspection takes 30 minutes and can save five-figure surprises later. If you're considering a renovation on an older home in the Kansas City Metro, we're happy to walk through with you and identify the materials worth testing before any work begins.
About the author
Derick Wiley is the owner and lead estimator at Wiley Services, a Class A general contracting and IICRC-certified restoration firm based in Lathrop, MO. He's spent 26 years in the industry and personally writes every Wiley Services estimate.