removing popcorn ceiling - testing for asbestos?

2792 Views 5 Replies 6 Participants Last post by stoner529, Aug 7, 2011

wmdcookes

Discussion Starter · Jul 17, 2011

I have been researching how to remove a popcorn ceiling, and it seems pretty straightforward. But I did read that I should have it tested for asbestos. Our house was built in '77, so it's certainly plausible. How do I do this?

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Workaholic

· #2 · Jul 17, 2011

You can call a lab and have a sample tested

There is also this test by a drywall guy I know from other forums but the below needed to have the disclaimer added.

Capt-sheetrock said:
One thing you can try is this,,,,

Disclaimer: I am not an asbestos police policy person

But I have been spraying this junk forever,,,,

Take a 6" or so knife, and scrap the popcorn, IF you reveal brown spots (cork) you are dealing with asbestos. If you don't, that means the "popcorns" are styrofoam, and you are not dealing with asbestos.

As i said, this is not an "approved" test, but it will let you know if you want to deal with it or not.

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jsheridan

· #3 · Jul 18, 2011

Isn't the popcorn so saturated in the removal process that airborne dust isn't an issue?

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Dean CRCNA

· #4 · Jul 18, 2011

Asbestos in popcorn is a possibility and should be checked by a lab. One good lab is http://www.emsl.com/. While you are at it, it would hurt to take another sample and test for lead content.

Call your nearest lab and they can probably let you know more about it.

You could also contact an environmental consultant.

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chrisn

· #5 · Jul 18, 2011

jsheridan said:
Isn't the popcorn so saturated in the removal process that airborne dust isn't an issue?

Never has been for me.:no:

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stoner529

· #6 · Aug 7, 2011

Dean CRCNA said:
Asbestos in popcorn is a possibility and should be checked by a lab. One good lab is http://www.emsl.com/. While you are at it, it would hurt to take another sample and test for lead content.

Call your nearest lab and they can probably let you know more about it.

You could also contact an environmental consultant.

You scrape a small section into a bag. Take it to emsl, as i do all the time when i have a home in question that i remove the popcorn. Lucky for me there is a lab 15 minutes from the office. I think the stupidest advice anyone can give is "just remove the asbestos yourself". I can never figure our why humans can be so stupid as to do something that can possibly give you cancer. who wants that stuff.

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