Can I Remove Asbestos Myself in Missouri? The Legal Line

Can a homeowner remove asbestos in Missouri?

Maybe, but the law is only the first question. Missouri DNR exempts “a single residential structure that contains four or fewer dwelling units” from its demolition and renovation asbestos rules. That is the rule behind most “yes, you can” answers. The EPA gives the safety answer: “Removal is complex and must be done only by a trained and accredited asbestos professional.”

Those two statements do not conflict. One says what the state regulates. The other says what is safe. This post explains where the legal line sits so you can decide with the facts. It does not tell you how to do the work. We do not give do-it-yourself removal steps.

What does the Missouri exemption cover?

It covers one residential structure with four or fewer dwelling units. A single-family house, a duplex, a triplex and a fourplex all qualify, if each is a single structure. DNR’s fact sheet PUB2157 lists the cases that do not qualify.

DNR’s asbestos page says “Most single-family residences are exempt.” Read “exempt” as exempt from the regulated-project steps in PUB2157, which are the inspection, the registered contractor above the threshold, and the 10 working day notice. The same DNR page also says individuals need department certification before they participate in an asbestos project, inspection or air sampling. It does not say whether that reaches an owner working on an exempt home. Call DNR’s Air Pollution Control Program at 573-751-4817 and ask before you rely on the exemption.

Why does the EPA still say to hire a professional?

Because the risk is to your lungs, not to a regulator. The EPA says “Removal is complex and must be done only by a trained and accredited asbestos professional,” and that improper removal may actually increase your family’s exposure. It also says federal law “does not require persons who inspect, repair or remove asbestos-containing materials in detached single-family homes to be trained and accredited; however, some states and localities do require this.” Legal does not mean recommended.

DNR gives the same advice in its nonfriable fact sheet: “For any project involving asbestos, whether regulated by the department or not, the department would recommend the use of trained asbestos professionals that are familiar with the OSHA standards for any asbestos removal work.” Both agencies suggest professionals even where the law lets owners act.

When does a “small” job become a regulated one?

When the material is damaged, when the work crumbles it, or when the quantity passes the threshold. DNR says “Most nonfriable materials are not regulated by the department, unless they are in poor condition or are rendered friable by improper work practices during demolition or renovation.” Floor tile shows how fast this can change. DNR says that if tile “is not removed in largely intact pieces,” it “will be considered RACM,” meaning regulated asbestos-containing material.

The threshold is 160 square feet, 260 linear feet or 35 cubic feet. On a regulated project at or above those amounts, “all of the material must be removed by a Missouri registered asbestos abatement contractor.” A 10 working day notice also applies. Our Missouri asbestos rules guide covers who files.

Small, careful jobs can still go wrong. A mistake can turn an unregulated tile job into a regulated one after the fact. That risk is on the owner.

What local rules apply in St. Louis?

DNR says to call the local agency before you start: “Before performing a project in one of these jurisdictions, you should contact the appropriate agency to determine if any additional requirements apply.” Its fact sheet lists the St. Louis Division of Air Pollution Control (city), 314-613-7300, and the St. Louis County Health Department, 314-615-8924. See our guides to City of St. Louis permits and St. Louis County permits.

Waste is a separate rule. DNR says nonfriable material “is still considered a solid waste and must be properly disposed of at an approved landfill or transfer facility”. It tells owners to contact the facility first for packaging and delivery rules.

Why is removal the riskiest step?

Because it releases the most fiber, and you will not feel it happen. The CPSC says “removal poses the greatest risk of fiber release,” and that symptoms “do not usually appear until about 20 to 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos.” A bad day of work shows no sign that night.

The CPSC also treats removal as the last option for most homes. Material in good condition should be left alone, and removal is for remodeling or major changes, or damage that cannot be otherwise repaired. It sets a limit on small fixes too: “any damaged area which is bigger than the size of your hand is not a minor repair.” The CPSC also warns that “Unnecessary removals are a waste of money,” so test before you decide that anything has to come out. Our posts on test kits versus a survey and where asbestos hides in old St. Louis houses show how to find out what you have first.

What does it cost to get this wrong?

The cost is health, time and money. The EPA ties improper removal to more exposure. Money follows: a job that becomes regulated mid-project can stop work, force a registered contractor, and add clean-up. A lab test before you start costs less than any of that.

Questions to answer before you decide:

1. Is the structure exempt, or does a limit above apply?
2. Which material is it, and did a lab confirm it?
3. Is it intact, and will your work keep it intact?
4. How much is there, compared to 160 square feet, 260 linear feet and 35 cubic feet?
5. Where will the waste go, and will that facility take it?
6. Have you called DNR and your local air agency?

If you cannot answer all six with confidence, hire a professional.

How do I hire a professional the right way?

Check credentials and keep roles separate. The EPA says to “Ask asbestos professionals to document their completion of federal or state-approved training.” It also says an assessor “should not be connected with an asbestos firm that does the actual repair or removal.” Use one firm to inspect and another to remove if you can.

Our guide to hiring an asbestos contractor in Missouri lists what to ask. AES is a Missouri DNR registered asbestos contractor (registration 27-06-0640). See our residential asbestos removal and asbestos removal pages. If you want to know the material first, start with asbestos testing.

Next step

If you own an older St. Louis home and wonder whether to do the work yourself, test first and then talk to a registered contractor. Call Advanced Environmental Services at (314) 865-2662 or use our contact page to ask about asbestos abatement. We will tell you what the rules require for your project.