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When learning how to test for asbestos in a popcorn ceiling, you have an option for a DIY job or to hire a professional tester. You can purchase a kit at a hardware store and use personal protective equipment while doing the test. If you don’t want to risk any potential exposure to asbestos, hire a professional asbestos testing company instead.

Asbestos is a carcinogen, meaning it increases the risk of cancer. Inhaling asbestos fibers is linked to several respiratory issues, including asbestosis, or scarring on the lungs, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, another type of cancer. There's also a link between asbestos exposure and an increased risk of colon cancer and other cancers of the digestive system.

Usually, the people most at risk for disease related to asbestos exposure are those who spend a lot of time working around the material without protection. Electricians who work with asbestos wire have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma or lung cancer due to their exposure.

The microscopic asbestos fibers do not cause eye irritation, throat irritation, or lung irritation. If you are inhaling fibers, you will not know it. This lack of immediate symptoms is one of the reasons why asbestos is so dangerous. You cannot know for certain if you are inhaling fibers, which is why you must wear safety gear if you could have any chance of an exposure while working.

In the 1980s, the use of asbestos in house siding materials underwent a significant decline, ultimately being phased out by the mid-1980s to early 1990s. This change was largely due to a growing awareness of the severe health risks associated with asbestos exposure, particularly its link to lung diseases and cancers. With increased public concern and regulatory agency involvement, building codes and regulations were updated to restrict the use of asbestos in construction materials.