If you own or manage a building in North Carolina, one of the most important questions for assessing asbestos risk is “When did they stop using asbestos in construction?” The answer, unfortunately, isn’t as simple as pointing to a specific year when asbestos use ended. Instead, asbestos use in building materials declined gradually over several decades, with different products phased out at different times, and some asbestos-containing materials remaining legal even today. Understanding this complex timeline helps you assess whether your property likely contains asbestos and when professional inspection becomes essential.
At A-1 Service Group, we’ve provided expert asbestos removal services throughout the North Carolina Piedmont Triad area for years, helping property owners navigate the complicated reality of asbestos in buildings of various ages. Our certified team understands that construction date provides important clues about asbestos likelihood, but only professional inspection and testing can definitively identify asbestos presence. This comprehensive guide explores when asbestos use peaked, how its use declined, when specific products were phased out, and what these timelines mean for your property.
The Rise of Asbestos: 1930s Through 1970s
Before exploring when asbestos use ended, understanding when and why it became ubiquitous in construction provides context for assessing buildings from different eras.
Why Asbestos Became Popular
Asbestos gained widespread use in construction because of its remarkable physical properties. Its natural resistance to heat and fire made it ideal for insulation and fireproofing applications. Its strength and durability enhanced products ranging from cement to flooring materials. Its resistance to chemical damage protected pipes and equipment from corrosion. Its fibrous structure created excellent insulating properties for thermal and acoustic applications. Combined with its relative abundance and low cost, these properties made asbestos seem like a miracle material that improved virtually every construction product it touched.
The Peak Years: 1940s Through Early 1970s
Asbestos use in building materials peaked between 1940 and the early 1970s. During this period, asbestos was incorporated into thousands of products including pipe and boiler insulation, roofing materials and shingles, floor tiles and adhesives, ceiling tiles and acoustic materials, textured wall and ceiling coatings, cement siding and roofing products, joint compounds and patching materials, HVAC duct insulation, fireproofing materials on structural steel, and numerous other building products.
Buildings constructed during these decades almost certainly contain multiple asbestos applications. A commercial building from 1965, for instance, might have asbestos in its pipe insulation, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, roofing materials, fireproofing on structural steel, and various other locations throughout the structure. Residential properties from this era commonly contain asbestos in flooring, textured ceilings, pipe insulation, roofing materials, and siding.
Post-War Construction Boom
The post-World War II construction boom drove massive asbestos consumption. Rapid suburban development, school construction to accommodate the baby boom, commercial and industrial expansion, and infrastructure development all incorporated asbestos-containing materials as standard practice. This widespread use during a period of intense construction activity explains why so many existing buildings contain asbestos today.
The Beginning of the End: 1970s Recognition of Health Hazards
Growing scientific evidence about asbestos health hazards during the 1960s and 1970s began shifting public perception and eventually led to regulatory action that started restricting asbestos use.
Scientific Evidence Accumulates
Medical research throughout the mid-20th century increasingly documented asbestos health effects. Studies of asbestos miners, insulation workers, shipyard workers, and others with occupational exposure revealed elevated rates of asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. By the 1970s, scientific consensus had established that asbestos exposure causes serious diseases with no safe exposure level.
Early Regulatory Actions
Recognition of asbestos hazards led to initial regulatory restrictions beginning in the 1970s. In 1973, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned spray-applied surfacing asbestos-containing materials for fireproofing and insulation purposes. This ban addressed one of the most hazardous asbestos applications since spray-applied materials are highly friable and release fibers easily.
In 1975, the EPA banned spray-applied asbestos materials for decorative purposes and additional insulation applications. In 1978, the EPA extended bans to most asbestos-containing insulation materials and certain paper products.
These early bans addressed the most hazardous and friable asbestos applications but left many other asbestos-containing products legal and in widespread use through the 1980s.
Voluntary Phase-Out Begins
Even before comprehensive regulations, growing liability concerns and market pressure led many manufacturers to begin voluntarily removing asbestos from their products during the late 1970s and 1980s. This gradual voluntary phase-out meant that by the mid-1980s, many building products that previously contained asbestos were being manufactured asbestos-free, though older inventory and some products still incorporated asbestos.
The 1980s: Transition Period
The 1980s represented a transition period when asbestos use declined significantly but hadn’t disappeared entirely. Understanding this transition helps assess buildings constructed or renovated during this decade.
Continued Use Despite Growing Awareness
While some asbestos products were banned and others voluntarily phased out, many asbestos-containing materials remained legal and in use throughout the 1980s. Floor tiles, certain roofing products, cement pipes, some automotive products, and various other applications continued incorporating asbestos, though use declined from peak levels.
Buildings constructed in the early to mid-1980s might contain some asbestos materials while using asbestos-free alternatives for others, creating a mixed situation where comprehensive inspection is essential for determining exactly what contains asbestos.
The 1989 Ban Attempt
In 1989, the EPA issued a comprehensive rule that would have phased out virtually all remaining asbestos uses over seven years. This rule represented the most aggressive attempt to eliminate asbestos from commerce and would have effectively ended asbestos use in the United States by the mid-1990s.
However, asbestos industry litigation challenged the rule, and in 1991, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals largely overturned the ban. The court found that the EPA hadn’t adequately demonstrated that a complete ban was the least burdensome regulatory approach and hadn’t properly evaluated alternatives. This reversal left only the previously banned applications prohibited while allowing most asbestos uses to continue legally.
Market Forces Accelerate Phase-Out
Despite the legal reversal, market forces continued driving asbestos elimination. Liability concerns, insurance costs, and consumer preference for asbestos-free products created powerful incentives for manufacturers to stop using asbestos regardless of whether it remained legal. By the late 1980s, most major manufacturers had eliminated asbestos from their products or were actively doing so.
The 1990s and Beyond: Near-Complete Phase-Out
By the 1990s, asbestos use in building materials had declined to minimal levels in the United States, though it never reached zero despite common assumptions of a complete ban.
The General Phase-Out
Most building materials that historically contained asbestos were reformulated with alternative fibers or materials by the early 1990s. Floor tiles, ceiling tiles, textured coatings, roofing materials, siding, pipe insulation, and virtually all residential and commercial building products were manufactured asbestos-free by this time.
Buildings constructed after 1990 have much lower probability of containing asbestos than earlier structures. However, “much lower” doesn’t mean zero—old inventory, specialty applications, imported products, or specific industrial applications might still incorporate asbestos even in newer buildings.
Products That May Still Contain Asbestos
Despite widespread phase-out, certain products can still legally contain asbestos in the United States today. These include some cement pipes and sheets used in industrial applications, certain roofing products in limited applications, some automotive products including brake pads and clutch assemblies, specialized gaskets and packing materials for industrial equipment, and certain other industrial and commercial applications where asbestos use predated the overturned 1989 ban.
Additionally, imported products might contain asbestos despite domestic phase-out. Some countries still mine and use asbestos, and products manufactured abroad might contain asbestos even if similar domestic products do not.
The 2019 SNUR Rule
In 2019, the EPA finalized a Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) requiring EPA approval before manufacturers can reintroduce asbestos into products where it had been discontinued. This rule provides some protection against resurgence of asbestos use but doesn’t constitute a complete ban on all applications.
When Different Products Stopped Using Asbestos
Different building materials and products phased out asbestos at different times, making it useful to understand specific product timelines when assessing buildings.
Spray-Applied Fireproofing and Insulation
Spray-applied asbestos materials for fireproofing and thermal insulation were banned in 1973, making buildings constructed after this date much less likely to contain this particularly hazardous material. However, buildings constructed before 1973 commonly have spray-applied asbestos on structural steel, in mechanical rooms, and other locations.
Pipe and Boiler Insulation
While never formally banned, asbestos pipe and boiler insulation was largely phased out during the 1970s and early 1980s. Buildings constructed after the mid-1980s likely use fiberglass or other alternative insulation materials, though older buildings from earlier decades commonly contain asbestos pipe insulation.
Floor Tiles and Adhesives
Asbestos floor tiles were common through the mid-1980s, with the distinctive 9×9 inch vinyl tiles being particularly likely to contain asbestos. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, manufacturers had largely switched to asbestos-free formulations. The black mastic adhesive used to install these tiles also commonly contained asbestos through the 1980s.
Ceiling Tiles and Acoustic Materials
Asbestos ceiling tiles were common through the late 1970s and early 1980s. Manufacturers began phasing out asbestos from ceiling tiles during the 1980s, with most production switching to asbestos-free materials by the mid-to-late 1980s.
Textured Coatings (Popcorn Ceilings)
Spray-applied textured ceiling coatings very commonly contained asbestos when applied before 1980. The EPA’s 1978 ban on spray-applied asbestos significantly reduced but didn’t immediately eliminate asbestos from these products. Some textured coating products contained asbestos into the early 1980s before manufacturers fully transitioned to asbestos-free formulations.
Roofing and Siding
Asbestos cement roofing and siding products were used extensively through the 1970s and into the 1980s. These durable materials were particularly popular for their fire resistance and longevity. Manufacturers phased out asbestos from most roofing and siding products during the 1980s, though some specialty products continued longer.
Drywall Joint Compound
Some drywall joint compounds contained asbestos through the 1970s and into the early 1980s. Manufacturers largely eliminated asbestos from joint compounds by the mid-1980s, but products manufactured and installed in the early 1980s might still contain asbestos.
What Building Age Means for Asbestos Risk
Understanding when asbestos use peaked and declined helps you assess your building’s asbestos risk based on construction date, though only professional inspection and testing can definitively identify asbestos presence.
Pre-1980 Buildings: High Probability
Buildings constructed or significantly renovated before 1980 have very high probability of containing asbestos in multiple applications. This era represents peak asbestos use when the material was incorporated into hundreds of building products as standard practice. Properties from this period should be presumed to contain asbestos until professional inspection proves otherwise.
1980-1990 Buildings: Moderate to High Probability
Buildings from the 1980s represent a transition period when asbestos use was declining but hadn’t disappeared. These structures might contain some asbestos materials, particularly if constructed in the early-to-mid 1980s, while using asbestos-free alternatives for other applications. Professional inspection is essential for determining exactly what materials contain asbestos in buildings from this decade.
Post-1990 Buildings: Lower but Not Zero Probability
Buildings constructed after 1990 have much lower asbestos probability since most manufacturers had eliminated asbestos from building products by this time. However, several factors mean asbestos presence isn’t impossible: old inventory might have been installed even after manufacturing stopped, imported materials might contain asbestos despite domestic phase-out, specialty industrial applications might still use asbestos-containing products, and renovation using old materials could introduce asbestos into newer buildings.
While post-1990 buildings warrant less concern than older structures, professional inspection before renovation or if asbestos is suspected remains prudent, particularly for commercial or industrial properties.
Why Professional Inspection Trumps Age-Based Assumptions
While building age provides useful guidance about asbestos likelihood, several factors make professional inspection essential regardless of construction date.
Renovations Complicate Dating
Buildings undergo renovations, additions, and modifications throughout their lives. A house built in 1995 might seem safe, but a 1970s addition or earlier renovations using older materials could have introduced asbestos. Conversely, complete renovations of older buildings might have removed all original asbestos-containing materials, though you can’t assume this without documentation.
Material Dating Isn’t Always Obvious
Looking at installed materials, you generally cannot determine their manufacturing date. Floor tiles, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, and other materials don’t carry visible date stamps, making it impossible to know whether products were manufactured during asbestos years or afterward.
Mixed Materials Within Buildings
Buildings often contain materials from different eras, particularly in mechanical rooms, additions, or areas that underwent partial renovation. A building might have asbestos-free materials in most areas while retaining asbestos pipe insulation from original construction, or vice versa.
Regional and Market Variations
Asbestos phase-out didn’t occur uniformly across all regions or market segments. Some areas or types of construction continued using asbestos-containing materials longer than others, creating variation that makes age-based assumptions unreliable.
The Only Certainty: Laboratory Testing
The only way to definitively determine whether materials contain asbestos is laboratory testing of properly collected samples. At A-1 Service Group, our professional asbestos inspection services include visual assessment of suspected materials and proper sample collection and laboratory testing that provides definitive answers about asbestos presence. Since our founding, we’ve maintained the expertise and proper procedures that ensure accurate asbestos identification.
North Carolina Buildings and Asbestos
North Carolina’s building stock reflects national patterns of asbestos use, with considerations specific to the region and types of construction common in the state.
Peak Construction Periods
North Carolina experienced significant construction during peak asbestos years. Post-war suburban development, textile mill and industrial construction, school building programs, and commercial development all occurred during decades when asbestos was standard in building materials. This legacy means many North Carolina buildings, particularly in established communities like those throughout the Piedmont Triad area, contain asbestos materials.
Common Building Types with Asbestos
Textile mills and industrial facilities from the mid-20th century commonly contain extensive asbestos applications. Schools built during the 1950s through 1970s frequently have asbestos ceiling tiles, floor tiles, pipe insulation, and other materials. Commercial buildings from this era similarly incorporate multiple asbestos applications. Residential properties, particularly homes built in the 1960s and 1970s, often contain asbestos in flooring, textured ceilings, and pipe insulation.
Climate Considerations
North Carolina’s climate influenced certain construction practices that affect asbestos presence. Insulation needs for both heating and cooling meant pipe and duct insulation was common in buildings of all types. HVAC systems became standard relatively early in commercial and residential construction, and these systems from asbestos years often incorporated asbestos-containing materials in ductwork insulation and other components.
The A-1 Service Group Approach to Asbestos Assessment
Our comprehensive asbestos services help North Carolina property owners determine whether their buildings contain asbestos regardless of construction age, and when asbestos is identified, we provide complete solutions from inspection through safe removal and proper disposal.
Thorough Professional Inspection
Our certified asbestos inspectors conduct comprehensive surveys of properties identifying all materials likely to contain asbestos based on appearance, age, location, and type. We collect samples using proper techniques that minimize fiber release and prevent contamination. We submit samples to accredited laboratories for definitive testing using polarized light microscopy or transmission electron microscopy.
Our thorough approach ensures we identify all asbestos-containing materials in your property, not just obvious locations, providing complete understanding of asbestos presence and distribution.
Complete Vertical Integration
As the only 100% vertical demolition and waste removal company in the Piedmont Triad area, we control every step of asbestos abatement from inspection through disposal. This vertical integration ensures complete accountability and eliminates coordination problems between separate contractors. When inspection identifies asbestos requiring removal, the same company that identified it handles removal, transportation, and disposal through our own licensed facilities.
Safe, Compliant Removal
When asbestos removal becomes necessary, our certified abatement team follows rigorous protocols ensuring safe work that protects building occupants, our workers, and the environment. We exceed industry safety standards through comprehensive containment, continuous air monitoring, proper personal protective equipment, and thorough decontamination procedures.
Proper Disposal Documentation
We maintain detailed documentation of all asbestos work including inspection findings, laboratory results, removal procedures, air monitoring data, and disposal records. This documentation proves regulatory compliance and provides records you may need for future property transactions or other purposes.
Industries and Properties We Serve
Our asbestos services support diverse property types across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors throughout North Carolina, with experience handling buildings from all construction eras.
Historic and Older Buildings
Buildings from peak asbestos years require comprehensive inspection before renovation or demolition. Our experience with older structures ensures we identify all asbestos applications common in buildings from different decades.
Schools and Educational Institutions
Many North Carolina schools were constructed during peak asbestos years and require ongoing management or removal of asbestos materials. Our educational experience includes understanding AHERA requirements and coordinating work to minimize disruption.
Industrial and Commercial Facilities
Textile mills, manufacturing plants, warehouses, and commercial buildings from the mid-20th century commonly contain extensive asbestos. Our industrial experience includes handling large-scale, complex abatement projects.
Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals and medical buildings from asbestos years require special consideration during abatement work. Our healthcare experience includes maintaining infection control and minimizing operational disruption.
Residential Properties
Homeowners with properties from the 1960s through 1980s benefit from our residential asbestos services that provide the same professional expertise as our commercial work with understanding of residential concerns and constraints.
Don’t Assume—Get Definitive Answers
Understanding when asbestos use peaked, declined, and was largely phased out helps you assess whether your property likely contains asbestos. However, building age alone cannot definitively determine asbestos presence or absence—only professional inspection and laboratory testing provide certainty.
If your North Carolina property was constructed or renovated before 1990, particularly during the peak asbestos years of 1940-1980, professional asbestos inspection should precede any renovation or demolition work. Even for newer buildings, if you have concerns about specific materials or are planning work in older sections or additions, professional assessment provides peace of mind and ensures compliance with regulations.
At A-1 Service Group, our comprehensive asbestos services provide everything you need from initial inspection through safe removal if asbestos is identified. Our vertical integration ensures complete control and accountability throughout the process, while our certified expertise guarantees work that meets or exceeds all regulatory requirements.
Ready to determine whether your property contains asbestos? Contact A-1 Service Group today to schedule professional asbestos inspection. Our certified team will thoroughly assess your property, identify any asbestos-containing materials, and provide clear recommendations based on your specific circumstances and plans.
Don’t let assumptions about building age prevent you from addressing potential asbestos concerns or complying with inspection requirements. Professional assessment provides definitive answers and enables informed decision-making about asbestos management or removal. Learn more about our complete range of services and discover why property owners throughout the North Carolina Piedmont Triad area trust A-1 Service Group for their asbestos needs.
Experience the difference that comprehensive expertise, complete vertical integration, and genuine commitment to health protection and regulatory compliance make in asbestos services. The consistent positive feedback in our customer reviews reflects not just our technical competence but our dedication to providing clear answers and comprehensive solutions for asbestos concerns in buildings of all ages.
