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Asbestos siding can be dangerous if disturbed because the material itself poses a health risk. Asbestos is one of the leading causes of lung cancer as it causes mesothelioma—an aggressive cancer. Asbestos can also cause irreversible damage to your lungs by creating a buildup of scar tissue, called asbestosis. It has a habit of making its way through even robust personal protective equipment (PPE), which is why it’s not recommended that you perform any asbestos work yourself.

It's okay to live in a house with asbestos siding as long as it's intact. Asbestos siding in good condition poses minimal risk since the fibers remain bound. If the siding is damaged, or deteriorating, or if renovations are planned that may disturb it, the risk of exposure increases significantly. Consult a professional asbestos inspector to assess the situation and provide recommendations.

Most manufacturers stopped putting asbestos in linoleum before 1980 due to public concerns about its toxicity. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) didn’t ban asbestos-containing products until 1989, and a comprehensive ban was not announced until 2024. This means that homes built after 1989 may still have asbestos in their flooring.

While asbestos can’t be directly absorbed through the skin—the fibers are too big—skin contact can still produce symptoms. Contact dermatitis can flare up in sensitive individuals but in most cases, the danger from asbestos comes from inhaling the fibers, or dust, that is produced when asbestos is disturbed. If you touch asbestos by accident, immediately wash yourself and your clothes.