How to Get Rid of Asbestos: A Plain-Language Guide

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The honest answer to how to get rid of asbestos is that the vast majority of asbestos removal must be performed by a state-licensed abatement contractor under EPA NESHAP and OSHA regulated work practices, with state notification filed in advance and waste disposed at a certified landfill. DIY asbestos removal is illegal in most U.S. jurisdictions for any project over the regulatory threshold quantity, for any friable material, and for nearly any structural application. This guide summarizes EPA, OSHA, and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) guidance current as of 2026 to explain the legal abatement process and why “do it yourself” is the wrong frame for almost every real situation. It does not replace direct consultation with a certified abatement contractor for any specific project.

Part of our Asbestos in the Home guide — start there for the full picture →

The honest answer: most asbestos removal is not a DIY job

Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other serious diseases. The EPA, OSHA, the CDC, and every state health department treat asbestos as a substance with no safe threshold of exposure. Federal NESHAP rules and state regulations restrict removal to licensed contractors because the work practices required to keep fiber release below dangerous levels — full containment, negative-pressure HEPA filtration, wet methods, certified abatement supervision, air monitoring, and certified-landfill disposal — are not achievable with consumer equipment.

The cost of professional abatement is small relative to the cost of an exposure-related illness or the cost of remediating a contaminated home after an uncontrolled disturbance. Framing asbestos removal as a money-saving DIY project misses that asymmetry by a wide margin.

What the law actually says

Three federal frameworks govern asbestos removal in residential settings.

EPA NESHAP

The EPA’s National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), 40 CFR Part 61 Subpart M, governs asbestos in renovation and demolition work. NESHAP applies to projects disturbing more than 260 linear feet of pipe insulation, 160 square feet of surfacing or thermal-system asbestos-containing material (ACM), or 35 cubic feet of facility components containing ACM. Above those thresholds, removal must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor, with advance written notification to the state regulator, regulated work practices, and certified-landfill disposal.

OSHA standards

OSHA’s general industry standard (29 CFR 1910.1001) and construction standard (29 CFR 1926.1101) govern occupational asbestos exposure. Permissible exposure limits, work-practice requirements (full containment, wet methods, HEPA filtration), respiratory protection (typically full-face respirators), and worker training requirements are all spelled out in the standards. Hiring untrained workers — including yourself — to perform abatement work violates OSHA even on residential property if the work is being done for compensation.

State regulations

Most states apply asbestos abatement rules at lower thresholds than NESHAP, particularly for friable materials. Colorado’s CDPHE administers Air Quality Control Commission Regulation No. 8, Part B, which governs abatement project notification, contractor licensing, and waste disposal. Some states allow homeowners to remove small quantities of non-friable ACM from their own primary residence; many do not.

DIY exception (narrow and not in every state)

A small homeowner exception exists in some states for very limited situations: a single homeowner removing a small quantity of non-friable, intact, non-structural ACM from their own primary residence. Even where this exception applies, the work must be done with:

• Proper respiratory protection (P100 respirator minimum)
• Disposable coveralls
• Wet methods to suppress fiber release
• Sealed waste packaging
• Disposal at a certified asbestos landfill (NOT regular trash)

The exception does not apply to friable materials (pipe insulation, vermiculite, popcorn ceiling, sprayed-on materials), to projects above the state threshold, to rental properties, to commercial buildings, or to any structural application. Colorado’s threshold for the homeowner exception is restrictive — most projects in Front Range homes fall outside it. The framing here is heavily protective: the cost of professional abatement is small compared to the cost of an exposure-related illness or remediation of a contaminated home.

The professional abatement process

Legal asbestos abatement follows a structured sequence.

Step 1 — Asbestos inspection

Before any removal, a certified asbestos building inspector identifies the suspect materials, collects samples, and provides a written report through an NVLAP-accredited lab. The inspection report is the basis for the abatement scope. Our guide on the asbestos inspection process walks through what the survey includes.

Step 2 — Abatement contractor selection

The homeowner hires a state-licensed asbestos abatement contractor. In Colorado, CDPHE maintains a public list of certified Asbestos Abatement Contractors. The contractor is responsible for the regulated work practices and waste disposal documentation.

Step 3 — State notification

The contractor files a written notification with the state asbestos regulator at least 10 working days before the project begins (CDPHE; other states have similar timelines). The notification describes the project scope, materials, removal methods, and disposal plan.

Step 4 — Containment and removal

The work area is sealed with polyethylene sheeting, negative-pressure HEPA filtration is established, and workers in full PPE remove the material using wet methods to suppress fiber release. Air monitoring is conducted during the work.

Step 5 — Clearance

After removal, the area is cleaned and a final air clearance test is performed by an independent industrial hygienist using TEM analysis. The space cannot be reoccupied until clearance is achieved.

Step 6 — Disposal

Waste is double-bagged, labeled per regulation, and transported to a certified asbestos landfill with a manifest documenting chain of custody.

Typical abatement cost ranges

2026 Front Range Colorado abatement pricing varies dramatically by project scope:

• Small project (single room, pipe insulation under 25 linear feet): $1,500 to $3,500
• Medium project (popcorn ceiling removal, multiple rooms): $3,500 to $8,000
• Floor tile removal (1,000+ sq ft): $5,000 to $12,000
• Vermiculite attic insulation removal: $8,000 to $25,000+
• Full house abatement (multiple materials, pre-demolition): $20,000 to $80,000+

The numbers feel high until weighed against the alternative: a single mesothelioma case generates roughly $1 million in lifetime medical costs per published peer-reviewed estimates, with mortality at 80% within five years of diagnosis. The cost of professional abatement is small relative to the cost of an exposure-related illness.

What homeowners should NOT do

Several behaviors create severe risk for homeowners and any future occupants.

• Do not scrape popcorn ceiling material dry. Pre-1978 popcorn ceilings often contain asbestos. Dry scraping creates massive fiber release.
• Do not sand or grind old floor tile or mastic. Even non-friable tile becomes a hazard when mechanically disturbed.
• Do not break or remove pipe insulation that looks like white or gray sectional wrap. Almost all pre-1981 pipe insulation of this appearance is friable asbestos.
• Do not disturb vermiculite attic insulation. Vermiculite from the Libby, Montana mine (Zonolite and similar products) is contaminated with asbestos.
• Do not dispose of suspected ACM in regular trash. Asbestos waste must go to certified landfills with proper documentation.
• Do not pressure-wash or sand cement asbestos siding. Mechanical disturbance creates respirable fibers.

When in doubt, leave it alone

The EPA’s official guidance for homeowners is that intact, undisturbed asbestos materials in good condition often pose less risk than disturbed materials. If the material is in place, sealed, and not deteriorating, the recommended approach is often Operations and Management (O&M) — periodic monitoring, no disturbance, and a written plan for incident response. Abatement becomes mandatory when the material is being disturbed by renovation or demolition, or when it’s deteriorating in place.

Front Range Colorado specifics

CDPHE’s asbestos compliance program is one of the more rigorous state programs in the country. Certified abatement contractors, certified building inspectors, and asbestos consulting firms all appear on CDPHE’s public certification list. Front Range homeowners — Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Arapahoe, Jefferson, El Paso, Adams, Boulder, Broomfield counties — should verify both inspector and contractor CDPHE certification numbers before signing any agreement. Our broader asbestos and lead pre-1978 housing guide walks through the full hazard category.

What waste disposal looks like under federal and state rules

Asbestos waste disposal is one of the most heavily regulated steps in the abatement process. Federal regulations require all ACM waste to be double-bagged in 6-mil polyethylene bags, labeled with EPA-required warning text, transported by a licensed waste hauler, and disposed of at a landfill specifically permitted to accept asbestos. Many municipal landfills do not accept asbestos; designated asbestos disposal sites are typically a separate facility. A waste manifest documenting the chain of custody from the abatement site to the landfill is required, and copies are retained by the contractor, the homeowner, and the state regulator. Disposing of suspected ACM in regular trash is a violation of federal and state law, and the consequences (fines, mandatory remediation, civil liability) routinely exceed the cost of proper disposal by orders of magnitude. Colorado homeowners can verify approved disposal sites through CDPHE’s asbestos compliance program.

Insurance and liability considerations

Two insurance considerations matter for any abatement project. First, homeowners insurance does not typically cover the cost of asbestos abatement or the cost of remediation after an uncontrolled disturbance. Pollution exclusions in most standard policies specifically exclude asbestos and other hazardous-substance events. The cost of fixing an uncontrolled DIY disturbance — full-house decontamination by a licensed abatement firm — can run $30,000 to $100,000+ on a typical home and is paid out of pocket. Second, the abatement contractor’s pollution liability and workers’ compensation insurance are critical to verify before hiring; an uninsured contractor exposes the homeowner to direct liability if a worker is injured or if disposal documentation is incomplete. Reputable Colorado abatement contractors carry both coverages and will provide certificates of insurance on request.

What to do if you’ve already disturbed asbestos

Homeowners who realize after the fact that they’ve disturbed potential ACM during renovation should take several immediate steps. Stop work on the project. Seal off the work area with polyethylene sheeting and tape if possible. Avoid creating airflow that could spread fibers into other parts of the home. Do not vacuum with a regular household vacuum — only HEPA vacuums rated for asbestos work are appropriate. Contact a certified asbestos consulting firm for an emergency assessment; the firm can conduct air sampling, characterize the extent of contamination, and design a remediation scope. Costs vary widely depending on the extent of disturbance, but emergency remediation is typically several times the cost of a properly planned abatement project would have been. The lesson, repeated by every certified consultant: when in doubt, test first, and never assume a material is asbestos-free without lab confirmation in a pre-1981 home.

When to call a professional

Asbestos abatement is a regulated specialty service, not a DIY project. Any homeowner planning renovation or demolition in a pre-1981 home should start with a certified asbestos inspection, hire a state-licensed abatement contractor for any removal work, verify state notification has been filed, and confirm waste-disposal documentation at project close. The cost of doing this right is small compared to the lifetime cost of an exposure-related illness — or the cost of remediating a home contaminated by an uncontrolled disturbance.

References

• Asbestos NESHAP Regulations — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Learn About Asbestos — U.S. EPA
• OSHA Asbestos Standards 1910.1001 and 1926.1101 — Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Colorado Asbestos Compliance Program — Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Asbestos Overview and Health Effects — Asbestos.com

Front Range homeowners planning renovation or demolition in a pre-1981 home can connect through our contact page for an introduction to a CDPHE-certified asbestos inspector and an abatement-aware general inspector serving Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and the surrounding counties.