Older buildings in Missoula hide a silent threat. Learn the real health risks of asbestos exposure and why certified abatement matters before you renovate.
Asbestos is not dangerous when it stays put. The problem begins when those materials get disturbed during a renovation, a roof repair, or a demo project. When asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) break apart, microscopic fibers go airborne, and your lungs collect them.
Over 25 million homes across the U.S. may still contain asbestos, according to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO, 2024). Here in Montana, that risk is compounded by the contamination history in communities like Libby.
OSHA confirms 1.3 million construction and general industry workers face active asbestos exposure on the job. Same for homeowners doing weekend demo work. Here is what the fibers can trigger:
Mesothelioma A rare, aggressive cancer of the lining around the lungs and abdomen. Latency period: 10 to 50 years.
Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer Up to 15% of all U.S. lung cancer cases are linked to asbestos, per the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Around 34,270 Americans die from asbestos-caused lung cancer each year (ICOH data).
Asbestosis Scarring of the lung tissue caused by accumulated fiber inhalation.
Key Takeaway: Symptoms can take decades to surface. A renovation project this spring could become a diagnosis in 20 years from now.
Older properties across the Rattlesnake, the Northside, and the University District commonly contain ACMs in these locations:
Key Takeaway: Do not sand, drill, cut, or scrape any of these materials in a pre-1980 structure without an inspection first.
Some Missoula area contractors offer general demo or remodeling services and may handle suspect materials without proper credentials.
That matters because Montana DEQ, OSHA, and the EPA all require specific asbestos abatement licensing for any regulated work involving ACMs.
Abatement Contractors of Montana (ACM), headquartered in Missoula, holds active certifications from the State of Montana, OSHA, and EPA. We have zero stop-work orders, citations, or violations in their entire operating history.
ACM also serves the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the University of Montana, Missoula County, and multiple federal agencies.
A certified asbestos inspector from ACM will:
This process uses equipment like HEPA-filter vacuums, negative air pressure containment units, and full PPE conforming to OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 standards.
How do I know if my Missoula home has asbestos?
|The only way to know for certain is a certified inspection with lab-tested bulk samples.
Is asbestos in my home illegal?
No. Having asbestos in your home is not illegal.
Can I just leave asbestos alone?
If the material is in good condition and will not be disturbed, encapsulation may be an option. ACM can assess whether removal or encapsulation is the right call.
What buildings in Missoula are most likely to have asbestos?
Homes built between 1940 and 1980, older commercial buildings downtown, older schools, and structures.
Does ACM handle both residential and commercial abatement in Missoula?
Yes. Abatement Contractors of Montana works across residential, commercial, and industrial properties throughout Missoula and the broader Mountain West.
How long does asbestos abatement take?
Timeline depends on the scope and material type.
What happens to the asbestos after it is removed?
All removed ACMs are sealed in labeled, double-bagged waste containers and transported to a licensed hazardous material disposal facility per EPA regulations.
Written by the team at Abatement Contractors of Montana, Missoula’s certified environmental remediation specialists.
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