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Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025

Is it unsafe to drill holes into walls that have asbestos?

Deanna Pistono, MinnPost
yes

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, asbestos “that is in good condition and left undisturbed” doesn’t pose a health risk. However, actions that interfere with asbestos, like drilling holes to hang a picture or a shelving unit on a wall, release the material into the air. 

Asbestos comprises six minerals that have been used in home construction since the 1800s, with popcorn ceilings installed before 1980 being made of asbestos, according to the Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com. 

Once they are disturbed, asbestos fibers can get into the human body and irritate the lining around various internal organs (the mesothelium). This can lead to the development of mesothelioma, a cancer affecting this lining. According to the National Cancer Institute, most cases of mesothelioma are the result of exposure to asbestos. Asbestos exposure can also lead to lung cancer, laryngeal cancer and ovarian cancer. 

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