Renovate a house from the 70s by self-effort without asbestos testing

Asbestos is one of the classic examples of risk perception and how it can go wrong. When the stuff was installed, workers cut panels without any protection and some later got cancer. Today, the pendulum has swung to the opposite extreme and the full-body suit is the standard. It is certain that only inhaling fibers is dangerous; as long as you are not cutting or doing similar work, there is no risk. Furthermore, it is also true that the risk of harm increases with exposure and every person in the private sphere has the freedom to choose their own risk, unlike in the professional sphere where the employer is obligated to provide protection. Long story short, I personally would not panic there. Renovation does not involve much exposure and as a friend, you are probably only involved in some tasks. Life is dangerous and on a construction site there are many more hazards to one's health than asbestos.