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2018 National Home Improvement Estimator, All Rights Reserved Page 94

Incidentally, mineral siding was formerly sold as asbestos-cement siding. Some asbestos materials are
known to pose a health risk and require special handling by qualified experts. But the asbestos in most
cement-asbestos siding is non-friable. That means asbestos fibers aren’t normally released into the air.
If you’re in doubt, have the siding checked for friable content. To find a testing laboratory, search for
asbestos testing in your Web browser. If the friable content is about 1 percent, removing the siding
presents little or no danger. If friable asbestos content is high, removal is a task for the experts. Even
better, leave asbestos siding undisturbed or cover it with another type of siding. Asbestos siding left
alone presents no danger, though the owner may have to make disclosure to any prospective buyer.