Are Popcorn Ceilings Safe?

Asbestos

• Numerous building products and paints contained asbestos when popcorn ceilings were popular. The dangers of asbestos were not yet known, so the use of the chemical was widespread. Many popcorn ceilings contain asbestos fibers. As long as they are not touched, there is no danger. If they are scraped off or removed, however, the asbestos becomes airborne. Asbestos should not be inhaled, so it becomes a potential health hazard once it is airborne.

Cuts

• The popcorn texture tends to be hard and sharp. If bunk beds are close to the ceiling, any person on the top bunk should avoid contact with the texture because it may cut them if scraped. Gloves should always be worn when removing popcorn texture due to the sharply textured peaks.

Removing Popcorn Ceiling

• If the house was built before 1980, it is likely that asbestos was used. Do not attempt to remove the popcorn ceiling on your own. A professional must remove the coating while wearing protective gear and breathing masks. The process involves scraping and sanding the texture down. Doing so, however, causes the small particles to become airborne, which is why breathing masks must be worn. All removed texture must be disposed of at an approved disposal site. When removing the texture is a real concern, it is sometimes primed and painted over.

Replacing Popcorn Ceiling

• Replacing popcorn texture with paint or another type of texture is sometimes not worth the time, costs and potential health hazards of the removal process. If the texture is removed, however, the ceiling merely needs priming and repainting in any chosen color. A new texture may be applied, if desired. Paints and textures no longer contain asbestos, so there is no concern over dangers when using today's commercial products.