Started tearing down old vinyl wallpaper from the kitchen that has been there since the house was built in '79. After tearing down half the kitchen, I started thinking about asbestos. Does anyone knowledgeable know how common it was to have asbestos in wallpaper at that time?
Very unusual. The manufacturing of asbestos was banned in stages until 1977 and was used to a very limited extent until 1982 when it was completely banned as a building material. It was primarily used as fire protection and pipe insulation but also in roof and ceiling boards. As long as you didn't previously have a fireplace in the kitchen, I would say the risk is minimal.
That said, the only way to actually know is to have it analyzed; it is not possible to tell with the naked eye if something contains asbestos fibers.
That said, the only way to actually know is to have it analyzed; it is not possible to tell with the naked eye if something contains asbestos fibers.
