How to Identify Asbestos Ceiling Tiles

Identifying Suspect Ceiling Tiles

• 1

  Research the building history. Buildings constructed after the mid 1970s are unlikely to contain asbestos ceiling tiles.

• 2

  Put on protective gear. Asbestos is a toxic substance that is easily inhaled and should not be allowed to come into contact with the skin. Be sure to cover all exposed areas as much as possible.

• 3

  Identify ceiling tiles that may contain asbestos. Tiles that were hung during the late 1940s and later that are approximately one square foot and have an off-white, yellowish, or light gray color and have a fairly solid or evenly perforated surface are the most likely to contain asbestos.

• 4

  Avoid touching, scraping, cutting or otherwise disturbing the suspect tiles. Doing so may release asbestos into the air and put people at risk of exposure.

• 5

  Turn off any heating or cooling systems that run through the area in question.

• 6

  Limit access to the area and contact the EPA for a list of certified asbestos inspectors in your area.

• 7

  Make an appointment for a professional inspector to visit the site and perform the proper tests to determine whether or not the ceiling tiles contain asbestos.