What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of thin fibers that, when inhaled or injected, can cause lethal health conditions. Asbestos mining ceased on U.S. soil in 2002, but the substance continues to be imported for limited use to this day.

The U.S. finally banned asbestos in 2024

That’s right — while many countries outlawed the use of asbestos decades ago, it may surprise you that asbestos was not fully banned in the U.S. until earlier this year. In March 2024, the Biden Administration finalized a ban on chrysotile asbestos, the most common form and the only one that continues to be imported and used in the U.S. With a 12-year phase-out period in effect, asbestos will likely continue to be used through 2036.

Where is asbestos found in the home?

Asbestos use in construction has gradually declined since the 1970s, but many homes and buildings still contain asbestos in more areas than you might realize. Particularly in homes built before the 1980s, you could find asbestos in:

  • Roofing materials
  • Attic insulation
  • Ceilings
    • Ceiling tiles
    • Textured/popcorn ceilings
  • Floors
    • Vinyl flooring
    • Cement board
  • Walls
    • Textured paint
    • Drywall
    • Insulation
  • Pipe insulation


It’s almost impossible to identify asbestos products just by looking at them. In its natural form, asbestos can be white, green, blue, or brown. When processed to create building materials, its tiny, fluffy fibers were mixed into other compounds, like cement, plastic, paint, and insulation.

The dangers of asbestos

In the 1960s, Dr. Irving J. Selikoff conclusively linked asbestos to lung cancer and mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer in the tissue lining the internal organs.

Symptoms of asbestos exposure and related diseases, including cancer, take 20 to 40 years to develop and can include:

  • Chest pain
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath with activity (worsening over time)
  • Tightness in the chest
  • Clubbing of fingers
  • Nail abnormalities


However, it’s important to note that most cases of asbestos-related diseases have been documented in those who consistently worked with asbestos and had consistent, repeated exposure. If that’s not you, then your risk is low, but it’s still better to play it safe.

I think my home may contain asbestos. What should I do?

If asbestos-containing material is in good condition, the best course of action is to leave it alone.

If you think there may be asbestos somewhere in your home, don’t take on a DIY project without first consulting a professional. Even just drilling a hole into drywall containing asbestos would release the harmful particles into the air. If you plan to disturb the area, or if it’s already damaged, search for a trained asbestos professional to test and remove it.

Does HomeWorks test for asbestos?

A Mass Save® Home Energy Assessment does not include a complete asbestos check. However, our Home Energy Specialists may be able to let you know if asbestos is likely present when they examine your insulation.

More About HomeWorks Energy, Your Local Mass Save Contractor

Since 2008, our HomeWorks Energy Specialists have performed over 200,000 energy assessments and completed over 71,000 insulation jobs. The Mass Save Home Energy Assessments we provide are no cost to you and come with many benefits for homeowners and renters alike, which is why we want every Massachusetts resident to know about them! We also employ a highly skilled team of licensed HVAC and weatherization professionals, so we can see your project through from assessment to completed upgrade. Find out why we’re proud to be the largest Home Performance Contractor in the state by scheduling a Home Energy Assessment or Heating and Cooling Consultation today.

We’re your trusted neighborhood energy specialists, and we’re working to make our state greener, one home at a time.