A recent national survey commissioned by Asbestos Claims.Law has uncovered a significant oversight in the real estate market: the majority of homes in the U.S. have never been tested for asbestos, despite its known health risks. With 91% of homeowners admitting they have never conducted such tests, the survey reveals a modern real estate risk that could have serious implications for public health.

The survey found that 35% of prospective homebuyers would withdraw from a purchase if asbestos was discovered, and 82% of U.S. adults believe testing should be legally required before any sale or renovation. This concern is particularly pronounced among younger generations, with 40% of Gen Xers and 69% of Americans overall expressing extreme or very high concern about asbestos exposure in their homes.

Despite these concerns, the lack of a federal mandate for asbestos testing means millions of homes are bought, sold, and remodeled without any screening, potentially exposing residents to cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. The survey highlights a disconnect in the real estate process, where over 70% of respondents indicated that the discovery of asbestos would jeopardize a home sale, yet testing remains rare even after high-risk events like natural disasters or renovations.

Generational differences in awareness and concern about asbestos were also evident, with Millennials and Gen Z showing the highest levels of concern, while Gen Xers were most likely to walk away from a home purchase if asbestos was found. The survey also pointed to a widespread lack of knowledge about where asbestos might be hiding in homes, with insulation, textured ceilings, and roofing materials being the most commonly recognized sources.

The absence of federal requirements for asbestos testing during real estate transactions or renovations leaves decisions to individuals who may be unaware of the risks. Justinian C. Lane, an asbestos safety and legal expert, emphasized the need for the real estate, construction, and inspection industries to address this gap, noting the increase in asbestos-related mesothelioma cases among homemakers as reported by the CDC in 2020.

This survey, conducted online from June 27 to 29, 2025, by Researchscape on behalf of Asbestos Claims.Law, involved 1,046 U.S. adults and has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3 percentage points for questions answered by all respondents.

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