Plaster and acoustical finishes are products used to cover cracks or blemishes in walls and ceilings and absorb sound. Decorative plaster, or acoustical plaster, and troweled coatings are used to add ornamental design to surfaces. Asbestos was commonly used as an insulation material in the mid-1900s, and plaster materials may contain asbestos fibers.

Acoustical Plaster and Acoustical Finishes

Acoustical plaster and finishes are a mixture of asbestos fibers, water, lime and sand and are often applied inside homes or commercial buildings on walls, ceilings and pillars. These products may contain asbestos if manufactured before 1981.

Troweled coatings are a type of decorative plaster that has been commonly used as a surface texture known as "popcorn" ceilings, or a bumpy ceiling that resembles cottage-cheese. Scraping or performing repair work on popcorn ceilings may create asbestos dust that can cause asbestos fibers to become airborne.

Acoustical plaster products have been used in the following structures:

Schools
Residential homes
Commercial buildings
Libraries
Theaters
Offices

The presence of asbestos in acoustical plaster and finishes cannot be identified by looking at the materials. Samples of the ceiling may be taken and sent to laboratories to test for asbestos.

Applying and removing acoustical plaster and finishes may cause asbestos exposure as the fibers may float in the air. Plaster may also become worn down over time and can crack or break apart. Asbestos fibers may be expelled into the air if plaster is broken into small particles or dust through hand pressure.

Removing Acoustical Plaster Products

Removing asbestos plaster products may disturb asbestos and allow the fibers to become airborne, exposing homeowners and construction workers to asbestos. The following may disturb asbestos-containing materials:

Sanding
Grinding
Breaking apart acoustical ceilings or walls
Sawing
Drilling
Smoothing rough edges
Renovation in other areas of the home or building

Certified, asbestos abatement contractors are often hired to remove asbestos due to the hazards associated with the material.

Contractors typically build a containment area in order to limit the area where asbestos fibers may settle. The acoustical plaster should be disposed of in regulation bags and thrown away in an approved asbestos disposal site.

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The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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