When Did They Stop Using Asbestos In Popcorn Ceilings - T-Tees - Your Answers Await, Life's Questions Unraveled

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Individuals who own homes built before the 1990s should assume asbestos is present in all popcorn ceilings. Materials installed after 1995 likely did not contain asbestos.

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Other names for popcorn ceiling products include:

You are viewing: When Did They Stop Using Asbestos In Popcorn Ceilings

Acoustic ceiling
Blown-on ceiling
Cottage-cheese ceiling
Spray-on ceiling
Stipple ceiling
Stucco ceiling
Textured ceiling

If these ceilings were not replaced, homes and other buildings may still contain asbestos.

02. Addressing Asbestos Ceilings

What to Do if Your Popcorn Ceilings Have Asbestos

Homeowners who suspect their popcorn ceilings were installed before the early 1990s should hire a professional to test, remove/encapsulate and dispose of the mineral. Asbestos contractors should be the only people handling asbestos. Sanding, painting or patching a popcorn ceiling could disturb asbestos fibers and create dangerous asbestos dust.

For homes with asbestos ceilings, a professional may choose to remove or encapsulate the materials.

Asbestos removal involves carefully ridding the building of asbestos products. A licensed professional will then safely and legally dispose of the asbestos.
Asbestos encapsulation covers up asbestos-containing products to avoid fibers releasing into the air.

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If a homeowner suspects asbestos is in their home, they should not attempt to remove or encapsulate it on their own. The first step should be to hire a licensed abatement contractor.

If asbestos materials may have been disturbed already, homeowners can take steps to help prevent exposure. To help prevent asbestos exposure before the abatement professional arrives, homeowners can:

Remove pets and people from the area
Shut off all vents and close all doors to the affected area
Wet the area to keep fibers out of the air

How to Test Your Ceiling for Asbestos

Homeowners can test their popcorn ceilings for asbestos by hiring a reliable and licensed contractor. Asbestos professionals are trained in state and federal regulations for proper handling of asbestos.

A contractor will conduct a thorough inspection of any broken or damaged material that may contain asbestos. If renovation is underway or planned, the contractor should inspect these areas as well.

They will visually inspect materials for damage. The contractor will also take samples of the ceiling and suspected asbestos materials and send them away for lab testing. If asbestos is discovered, a mitigation and removal plan will be put together.

How to Remove Popcorn Ceilings With Asbestos

A licensed asbestos abatement contractor can conduct asbestos removal. Homeowners, landlords, tenants or general contractors should not attempt removal on their own.

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To determine how to deal with asbestos in the ceiling, contractors will assess their condition and friability. Friability refers to the “crumbliness” of the product.

Highly friable asbestos products are the most dangerous, as they are the most likely to release fibers into the air. Professionals may recommend removing these products.
For low friability products in good condition, contractors may recommend encapsulation.

For a complete asbestos popcorn ceiling removal, the contractor will first shut off all ventilation to the affected area. Typically, the products will be wet down to prevent airborne fibers. The products are then removed.

03. Health Risks of Asbestos in Ceilings

The Dangers of Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings

Disturbed or damaged asbestos popcorn ceilings can release fibers into the air. Asbestos fibers are dangerous if inhaled or ingested. Once asbestos is in the body, serious health conditions may develop.

Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure From Popcorn Ceilings

Asbestos fibers can embed into the linings of internal organs. Over time, these fibers may cause irritation and scarring. This irritation can cause several dangerous health problems. The most serious of these is mesothelioma cancer. Other conditions include asbestosis and asbestos lung cancer.

In one case study, researchers examined the exposure of a woman who lived with asbestos ceilings for 30 years. Persistent water damage released asbestos dust into the air. The subject began experiencing heavy coughing in the 1990s. In 2010, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She subsequently was diagnosed with lung scarring consistent with asbestosis.

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Asbestos diseases can take 10 to 50 years to develop after initial exposure. While there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, repeated exposure may increase the risk of developing an asbestos disease.

Who Is Most at Risk From Asbestos in Popcorn Ceilings?

There are several ways someone may come into contact with asbestos in popcorn ceilings. These higher-risk groups include:

Construction professionals: Individuals are likely to come into contact with asbestos popcorn ceilings during construction, renovation or demolition. This is occupational exposure.
Homeowners and families: Asbestos ceilings in homes may expose an entire family to the mineral. Popcorn ceiling removal or encapsulation can mitigate at-home asbestos exposure.

People working or living with asbestos are at the highest risk of asbestos exposure from popcorn ceilings. However, individuals should also be aware of secondary exposure. Secondary exposure occurs when coming into contact with someone who may have asbestos fibers on their person. This often happens with spouses of asbestos workers.

Owners of older homes should test popcorn ceilings and other materials for asbestos. Professionals can test for the mineral and recommend a mitigation plan to prevent exposure.

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