Illinois Residents Warned of Asbestos Hazards in Popcorn Ceilings

Aug. 6, 2012 - PRLog -- Removing popcorn ceilings is a common home improvement project for many Illinois residents.  This surfacing technique, used in many residential properties, is no longer in style and can even lower property values.  

Many homes and apartments that were built between the 1960s and 1980s used popcorn ceilings as a standard method of texturing ceilings.  Today, many property owners have begun removing the finish in an effort to update the look and feel of their homes.

“Many homeowners tackle these projects on their own, but they need to be aware of potential health hazards,” stated Ed Chambers, the President of EC2, a Chicago-area asbestos consulting company.  “Many, if not most, homeowners don’t even realize that these popcorn ceilings may contain asbestos.  It is crucial to get the materials testing before any popcorn removal projects begin to prevent exposure to asbestos fibers.”

Asbestos was used in some popcorn ceilings into the 1980s.  Asbestos was banned from use in most household materials in the late 1970s, but businesses with existing materials were allowed to use up their inventory of materials on hand.  In addition to asbestos being found in some popcorn ceiling materials, it may also be present in textured paints, and patching and joint compounds.  

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “You can't tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled. If in doubt, treat the material as if it contains asbestos or have it sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional. A professional should take samples for analysis, since a professional knows what to look for, and because there may be an increased health risk if fibers are released. In fact, if done incorrectly, sampling can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Taking samples yourself is not recommended.”

EC2 has sponsored a public outreach video about asbestos that can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCpQYuK8ge8



To learn more about asbestos, environmental, mold or indoor air quality (IAQ) issues, please visit http://www.4ec2inc.com, email info@4ec2inc.com or call (815) 703-9000.

About EC2, Inc.
EC2 is a leading provider of environmental consulting and inspection services for clients across the United States.  Based in the Chicago area, the company provides their services to clients ranging from local companies and institutions to International Fortune 500 Corporations.