Does installing a ceiling fan on a popcorn ceiling (cutting the hole) pose a risk for asbestos exposure?

Question

I'm thinking about installing a ceiling fan, but our ceilings have popcorn on them. Does that type of disturbance release enough asbestos to be concerned about?

Answer 1

Pop corn doesn't have asbestos in it.

Answer 2

Ceilings installed before 1979 with "popcorn" are minimum 3% asbestos. Your advice is very dangerous. Please do your homework before you answers questions that could effect people's health.

Answer 3

Amy,
assuming you live in the United States, if your house was built before 1979 or so theres a better than average chance that the "popcorn" finish on the ceiling does contain asbestos. I am managing the removal of popcorn ceilings at a hotel here on Oahu for the next few months. The type of asbestos associated with popcorn is Chrysotile. It's not generally associated with the worst asbestos related diseases but there is not a known "safe" level of exposure to asbestos.

I always recommend that people use trained professionals to remove asbestos. If you absolutely have to remove it yourself ( I discourage that) you would find that if you first saturate the popcorn finish using a spump sprayer, that generally the popcorn can be separated using something similar to a sharp edged putty knife.

Abatement professionals when working with asbestos always wear respirators, and 99% of the time use wet methods to prevent the formation of asbestos dust. What ever course of action you choose I strongly urge you not to dry cut through the popcorn unless you test it to determine it is or is not asbestos. Even if it is not asbestos, research is showing that inhallation of fine dust particles isn't that good for you either, so use wet methods:)

Please let us know if you need additional information.

Edwin

To the people in this thread stating that popcorn ceilings don't contain asbestos you need to do further research. Asbestos containing ceilings were installed into the late 1970's. I am overseeing the removal of asbestos containing popcorn at a Hotel in Waikiki. The installation date of the popcorn? 1979. Some asbestos may have been banned in the 60's but the ban you are thinking of primarily occurred in the 1970s.

It was only semi effective though, building materials were still installed that contained asbestos. Making blanket statements that something is not asbestos is irresponsible. To the original poster unless you sample the ceiling and have it analyzed, you should assume its asbestos.

Answer 4

We did five rooms in June (temperature outside 110, inside 96)! Took a few days, but 3 rooms came off very easy. Other two took some elbow grease. We put down a tarp on the floor to catch all of the mess, and simply folded it up and threw it away when each area was done. Wear a mask, as my husband didn't and only later did he have a cough for a couple of days. He hated a mask, but the cough could have become a worse ailment; he was lucky. Good luck. It is worth it, as the smooth ceilings look great. Popcorn. As someone said, it is only for the movies and a snack at home.

Answer 5

Pop corn ceilings do not contain asbestos. Asbestos has been banned since the late 60's.

Answer 6

Asbestos hasn't been used for at least 35 years so if the house is newer than that, no problem. If you are concerned, just wear a breathing mask when making the cut.

Answer 7

Popcorn is a subtance (usually sand) that has been added to the paint. You won't have any medical problems at all. Go ahead and cut away. Here is a problem for you. Many popcorn ceilings were not done correctly. The sheetrock was not primed first. So, when you go to paint it the moisture from the paint loosens it off the sheetrock. It just happened at my son's home. We started painting it and it all started to bubble off. We had to spray it with water and scrape it all off. Major job.

Answer 8

The "popcorn" is actually made of crushed drywall. It does not cause problem. Cut a hole as you normally wold for the fan and proceed with the installation.