[woodsmith.ryan]

I just did a demo job, gutting a 150 year old schoolhouse down to the studs.
I was working for a friend of mine who got the job. On the ceiling were some ceiling tiles, about 1' x 2' in size, loosley attached to perlins below the lathe and plaster. The entire job, we were using respirators and long sleeves in case we were working with lead paint. However, we never actually tested the paint for lead, a fact about which I have some resentment. OIt is also possible that the celing tiles or floor tiles may contain asbestos, though we never tested them. After 3 days of demolition work, im still left wondering, did we demo asbestos?

What texture do asbestos-containing ceiling tiles and floor tiles have?

The ceiling tiles we used felt lightweight and papery to me. They were soft and broke easily. The floor tiles were only in one corner addition of the old schoolhouse, and they were a little brittle but not as hard as ceramic tiles.

 

[Nealtw]

A sample of each should be taken to an industrial lab, their opinion is the best.

 

[Old Thomas]

Ceiling tiles are usually not asbestos containing but the black mastic holding them on is frequently asbestos containing. Floor tiles look like vinyl tiles but most that I have encountered are 9” square.
If you don’t smoke and if it was not a dusty process, limited exposure probably is ok. Long term exposure to high levels is bad. High levels long term for smokers is a death sentence.
Disclaimer: The only way to know for sure is with testing.

 

[mark sr]

Asbestos is only hazardous in dry breathable form. If the dust was contained and cleaned up [along with your mask usage] there should be minimal danger.