# Remvoing an acoustic ceiling that may or may not contain asbestos **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 20, 2011, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remvoing-an-acoustic-ceiling-that-may-or-may-not-contain-asbestos/600288 "2011-10-20T20:06:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GreedySmurf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a698b9/32.png) [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remvoing-an-acoustic-ceiling-that-may-or-may-not-contain-asbestos/600288/21 "2012-03-13T03:06:42Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > The “popcorn” ceiling is now gone, but thanks again everyone for the good advice. The painter said his guys knew the proper procedure. Good to hear. And happy you went for the proper removal option. Despite some advice upthread that’s it ‘not that bad’. You do not want to mess around with Asbestos. Apart from anything else, the problem is there is no ‘safe’ exposure level. People can trot out all the examples you want of asbestos miners with no issues. But equally there are any number of cases of people developing Mesothelioma from very minimal exposure to it. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remvoing-an-acoustic-ceiling-that-may-or-may-not-contain-asbestos/600288/22 "2012-03-13T17:59:18Z")
Cite? ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remvoing-an-acoustic-ceiling-that-may-or-may-not-contain-asbestos/600288/23 "2012-03-13T18:48:05Z")
The lab I work in is in a plant that contains major amounts of asbestos, so every employee is certified asbestos supervisor. So I have a little experience in the material. Do not remove yourself. The type of removal you will need to do is called “gross removal”. It’s the worst method for fiber release. It will be almost impossible to properly wet down the material. To properly contain the room two layers of plastic poly for walls and floors will have to be set up. The room will have to be under negative pressure with a HEPA filter to contain the fibers, and a shower with filtered water. Clean up will have to be with an actual HEPA vacuum (not same thing you buy at Sears), and the plastic wiped down with a surfactant. Clearances air samples will also have to be done to say the air meets EPA standards. I would suggest taking a bulk sample to a lab and getting analysed. It would cost around $30. I would also suggest in the event of a positive result getting a professional to complete abatement. You will not be able to complete this project without endangering yourself or family. If you PM the specific details of the project, I can ask the guys in our EHS unit for a ballpark figure on cost for you to hire someone. ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remvoing-an-acoustic-ceiling-that-may-or-may-not-contain-asbestos/600288/24 "2012-03-13T18:52:56Z")
Here is the link to a lab that has locations in California [http://www.emsl.com/](http://www.emsl.com/) Again if you had just floor tile or mastic I’d say do it yourself, but not this stuff. ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remvoing-an-acoustic-ceiling-that-may-or-may-not-contain-asbestos/600288/25 "2012-03-13T18:54:30Z")
Sorry just saw problem is resolved. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remvoing-an-acoustic-ceiling-that-may-or-may-not-contain-asbestos/600288/26 "2012-03-13T19:03:25Z")
No problem RetroVertigo, you never know who will be reading this thread in the future. Additional information is always welcome. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remvoing-an-acoustic-ceiling-that-may-or-may-not-contain-asbestos/600288/27 "2012-03-13T20:27:36Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > If you have a painter willing to come in and scrape it without ever knowing or caring if it contains asbestos I’d say let him. Since he’s going to be making a mess regardless the room needs to be blocked off. Before he’s done make sure he’s vacuumed all the dust. Wet mop when he’s done and call it good. > > Your friend is willing to take on more risk then I would. Asbestos is not a super deadly radioactive product from the depths of hell some make it out to be but it isn’t good for you. Your standard mask isn’t rated for asbestos, so I wouldn’t count on it to protect your lungs. Not legal in California. We don’t advise on not legal things at the SDMB. The legal route is to hire someone certified to remove it, figure $3k and up. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remvoing-an-acoustic-ceiling-that-may-or-may-not-contain-asbestos/600288/28 "2012-03-13T21:29:30Z")
> [@RetroVertigo](#): > > The lab I work in is in a plant that contains major amounts of asbestos, so every employee is certified asbestos supervisor. So I have a little experience in the material. > > Do not remove yourself. The type of removal you will need to do is called “gross removal”. It’s the worst method for fiber release. \ That’s what I was thinking, too - this is not like picking up and disposing of hard floor tiles. Scraping a popcorn ceiling off will get that shit _everywhere_. Glad to hear you got competent guys to do the work, **Arnold.** 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remvoing-an-acoustic-ceiling-that-may-or-may-not-contain-asbestos/600288.md?page=1)