Taking down a ceiling that was installed in 1981, could the 12x12 ceiling tiles contain asbestos?

Question

Taking down a ceiling that was installed in 1981, could the 12x12 ceiling tiles contain asbestos?

Answer 1

it is very posible I would have it tested

Answer 2

Asbestos is a naturally occuring mineral silicate. It is found in 80% of the Earths Crust.

There is 2 major families of regulated asbestos fibers. The most regulated is crysotile and amosite. Others include Tremolite (used in cement pipes) actinolite and crocidolite. The last 3 are rare.

Amosite was heavily mined in Africa and gained the nickname African Death. But Crysotile is also dangerous (contrary to one of the posts I read above) and it can cause asbestos related disease. Chrysotile is the most used in the USA, Many old mines still exist in california and many are now dumps for the hazards asbestos waste.

Both have bans on their usage. in 1973 The US government Baned asbestos use in drywall mud/joint compound and in pipe insulation. in 1978 it was banned in acoustic ceilings. Many more materials that were once manufactured with asbestos have also been banned and are regulated. These materials include Floor tile, ceiling tiles, decortive exterior coatings, air duct insulation, blow-in attic insulation, heat shield, drywall, roof felt, and about a 1,000 other materials.

However, many distributors of asbestos products, to include ceiling tiles that were in factory warehouses where they were manufactured were allowed to deplete and sell what products they had in stock already made. I have seen some products (mostly drywall finishes) appear as late as 1984..I am A 37 year experienced painter and have used many of these products. I very seriously doubt your tiles contain asbestos, but A simple asbestos test kit will let you know positively.

Answer 3

You can always test with this

http://www.prolabinc.com/products.asp?ki...

Answer 4

NO not from 1981