Thank you again for all of your counsel. I've been in contact with both abatement and AQMD districts who recommend leaving it in place if it is not friable. Homes built in this era are loaded with low levels of asbestos that THEY say are not harmful. However, I lost my father to lung cancer and resp. problems due to asbestos exposure as an occupational hazard and I feel that I can't ask TOO many questions. thanks for validating my concerns and not allowing me to feel like I'm being "over cautious"