In article ,
Nate Nagel wrote:
Ed Pawlowski wrote:
"Marissa Taylor" wrote in message
...
I'm concerned that my 12" x 12" white ceiling tiles may contain asbestos.
They have holes and small etchings in them. However, many fiber based,
non-asbestos tiles may look similar and hopefully that is what I have.
Short of sending one to a lab, are there any visual differences between
harmless fiber ceiling tiles and older ones made of asbestos?

It takes a microscope and training to identify asbestos fibers. You'd
have to send a sample to a lab and have it tested.

I need to remove one as a pipe appears to be leaking above it, but if
asbestos is involved, it will be a whole other project!

Small quantities aren't a significant risk. However, any asbestos fibers
that get into your lungs stay there forever, so exposure should be
limited when possible.

Doubt they have asbestos, but a simple dust mask would take care of things.

No, conventional dust masks are not adquate to stop asbestos fibers.
They'll catch clumps of material, but not individual fibers. Takes a
real respirator to block it.

No need to get all hysterical about removing one tile.

No need to take unnecessary chances, though.

right... unless the ceiling HAS to come down, so long as the ceiling
isn't falling apart (the actual condition is called "friable") you're
really not at any significantly elevated risk just leaving it there.
The paint is holding all the fibers in place.

Correct; disturbing the fibers is where the problem will arise. I had
to go through an asbestos O&M course at the last job; doing abatement
properly is a significant undertaking.

Now if you had plans to remodel, the presence/absence of asbestos would
be something that you'd want to know.

Maybe. That's a quirk in the regulations; if you _know_ it contains
asbestos, you're required to do full abatement using a certified
contractor. If you _don't_ know, you don't have to do full abatement.
You can DIY or have work done without the certified contractor, at
a much lower cost. Never did quite understand the logic of that.


Gary

--
Gary Heston http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/

"Behind every successful woman there is an astonished man"
General of the Army (four stars) Ann Dunwoody