I previously asked a question about popcorn ceilings and your responses were helpful but this got me wondering about a textured living room ceiling we had in our old home. The only room in the house that had a bit of a design in the ceiling was in the living room and now I have learned that old paints may have had asbestos in them! The house was owned by a number of people before we purchased the house and obviously the ceilings were painted a number of times over the years but while we owned the home we installed track lighting in the living room. So my question is did we create a hazard in the entire house by doing so? I am having a bit of a meltdown as we still own furniture pieces that were in that home. My husband says I am being irrational but I am worried for our health and that of our friends and family. Any sane advice is appreciated.

 

While asbestos can be hazardous trial lawyers have whipped it up to epic proportions. Your project created minimal fibers and drilling creates larger, heavier particles that tend to drop to the floor quickly and are unlikely to be breathed in. So, at the highest I think you have very minimal risk. I would be more concerned about being struck by lightening.

 

Thank you Pilot Dane for your reassuring advice.

 

I was mostly worried about potential fibers having gotten into the furniture because I have read they never come out and we still use that particular chair. I did not know if we have been breathing in fibers every time we use the chair and that brought on my panic.

 

As far as I know the only paints that had asbestos in them were the old fibered aluminum roof paints [not sold in decades] Some popcorn did have asbestos but like lead if it's encapsulated [painted over] there is little to no health danger. A damp rag/sponge is sufficient for removing small amounts of asbestos.