Denmark may allow homeowners to remove asbestos roofs after training

Homeowners in Denmark could soon be permitted to remove their own asbestos roofs if they complete a safety course, according to a chief physician and government proposals.

The current ban on private asbestos removal, in place since January 2025, may be eased under new plans to make replacement more affordable. The government aims to balance health safety with cost concerns, proposing to eliminate asbestos disposal fees for private individuals and explore state-guaranteed loans for roof replacements.

Jakob Bønløkke, chief physician at Aalborg University Hospital, supports the idea, stating that proper training could enable homeowners to handle asbestos safely. “It can make sense, and I believe private individuals can be equipped to do this in a health-safe manner,” he said. Bønløkke, who has studied asbestos-related health risks, emphasizes that while the cancer risk from minimal exposure is low, it is not zero.

Employment Minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen confirmed the government is considering models to allow safe private asbestos removal but warned that a final plan may take years to develop. “There must be a balance between health safety and the desire to handle the replacement oneself,” she said.

Rural communities welcome the proposal. Steffen Damsgaard, chair of the Rural Districts Joint Council, called the potential change a “huge difference” for homeowners struggling with high replacement costs. “It’s a ticking time bomb for rural settlement if no arrangement is made for private roof replacements,” he said. In North Jutland alone, about one in three homes has asbestos roofing.

Not all homeowners are eager to take on the task. Niels Dam-Hansen, whose property near Sindal has asbestos roofs, called the government’s focus “fantastic” but said he would still hire professionals. “I’d feel uneasy doing it myself, even with training. This should be handled by authorized people with the right equipment,” he said.