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In 2022, the Asbestos Testing and Consultancy Association (ATaC) and the National Organisation of Asbestos Consultants (NORAC) published a report using reputable survey data from 128,761 properties across the UK. Asbestos containing materials (ACMs) were found in 78% of them.
One of the most popular forms of ACM was asbestos in ceilings, sometimes known as popcorn ceilings or Artex. In this blog post, we are going to look at what asbestos popcorn ceilings are, why they are hazardous, how to identify asbestos ceilings, removal and mitigation options, the legal obligations surrounding them and what to do if you find asbestos ceilings in your property.
Asbestos popcorn ceilings were a common feature of homes constructed before the mid-1980s. Coatings such as Artex allowed builders and DIY-ers to apply textured finishes to ceilings and walls without the need for plastering skills.
Asbestos was used to provide greater strength and to help the coating dry faster, creating a final finish that was heat resistant and provided good insulation. You can learn more about Artex ceilings in our blog post.
Like many ACMs, asbestos in ceilings is usually non-hazardous until it is disturbed. However, disturbing it can be as simple as hammering or drilling into it, or if it becomes accidentally damaged or even when changing lighting fittings.
Once disturbed, the popcorn ceiling coating will release tiny asbestos fibres into the air which can then be inhaled. Over time, these fibres agitate the lining of peoples’ lungs and lead to life-threatening conditions such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. These conditions can take decades to present themselves, and exposure can even occur second hand through fibres on clothing.
When it comes to identifying asbestos in ceilings, sampling and analysis of the material is required. Asbestos was used in ceilings in several ways; as well as the textured or popcorn coatings, asbestos was also incorporated into plasterboard panels and moulded decorative features, meaning in theory, your property could feature asbestos ceiling panels, popcorn coatings and decorative accents.
These will look very similar to non-asbestos alternatives, so your best indicator is the age of your property. If it was built before 1999, then it likely contains asbestos. Asbestos was banned in 1999 in the UK at this time, so properties built after 1999 shouldn’t contain any asbestos.
For textured coatings specifically, the asbestos-containing variants began to decline in production and use around the mid-80s after Artex changed its formula to remove the asbestos. But to be safe, you should assume that asbestos is still potentially present in any coating applied before 1999.
If you suspect that your property may feature asbestos popcorn ceilings, do not disturb them. Contact a trusted asbestos surveyor as soon as possible. They will be able to offer asbestos sampling, asbestos management surveys, asbestos demolition surveys and asbestos refurbishment surveys, conducted in accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012.
The type of survey you need will depend on whether you are planning to simply identify and manage any ACMs, refurbish areas of your property that might contain ACMs or demolish the property. Your survey provider can also provide the next steps if any ACMs are found as well as often facilitate licensed or non-licensed asbestos removal.
If there is asbestos in ceilings in your property, there are a few options open to you, which your surveyor will be able to advise on.
If removal is required, this is a highly specialised process and not one you should attempt on your own. It involves:
The management of ACMs in all commercial and industrial premises, as well as the shared spaces within rented domestic properties, is governed by the CAR regulations. They state that duty holders must safely identify and manage ACMs to ensure the wellbeing of building occupants and the public. The duty holder is usually the building owner, manager or operator.
In domestic properties, there is no legal requirement to manage or remove materials such as asbestos popcorn ceilings. However, not identifying and handling them correctly can put you and others at risk.
In all settings, domestic, retail and commercial, regular surveys are recommended to identify any ACMs as well as ensure that they remain in a stable condition.
Identifying asbestos in ceilings is almost impossible without professional help, and possibly even dangerous. If you think your property might contain asbestos popcorn ceilings, reach out to the experts at EMS today. Since 2003, we have been conducting asbestos surveys in Worcester, Hereford, Cardiff and across the UK.
Book your survey today by calling us on 0800 358 1110, emailing us at info@emsgroupuk.com or by filling out our contact form here.
According to the Joint Union Asbestos Committee (JUAC), 83% of schools in the UK still contain asbestos. Unfortunately, this means that there is very likely to be asbestos in the ceiling of your school building as well as other places throughout the structure. The only exceptions will be if your school was built after 1999, when asbestos use was banned in the UK. To find out whether your school building contains asbestos and where, reach out to our team to book a survey.
Asbestos in ceilings is not usually an immediate hazard. However, if it is exposed or disturbed in any way, such as through drilling, hammering or changing light fixtures, it can begin to release fibres. The likelihood of you disturbing it by accident is obviously higher if you do not know it is there, so having your ceilings tested with a professional survey is always the safest course of action.
Spotting asbestos popcorn ceilings, boards or decorative features can be difficult, as they closely resemble other non-asbestos containing materials. The only way to tell for sure is to have them professionally surveyed, where the surveyor will collect samples of suspected ACMs for laboratory testing.
Often it is perfectly safe to live in a house with asbestos ceilings, so long as you do not disturb the ceiling in any way. However, it is always best to have your ceilings surveyed if you suspect they may contain asbestos, as it can be difficult to accurately assess the safety of ACMs without expert help.
Many textured ceiling coatings that formerly contained asbestos, such as Artex, began to go asbestos-free around the mid-80s. However, the use of asbestos in general remained legal in the UK until 1999, meaning any properties constructed before this date may contain asbestos.
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