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Asbestos-containing materials are not easily affected by water and do not disintegrate or dissolve when exposed to it. However, porous materials can deteriorate due to water exposure, leading to the release of asbestos fibers into the air. The settling of asbestos fibers can also occur as water makes them heavy, which reduces the risk of airborne exposure, though future disturbance of the materials could cause risk. Wetting asbestos-containing materials does not constitute safe removal, and the proper handling and disposal of asbestos materials should be left to professionals.

According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos-related diseases can take anywhere from 10 to 40 years for symptoms to appear. The health risks increase with prolonged and heavier exposure. Risk factors also include:

• Amount of exposure

• Chemical makeup, size, and shape of the asbestos fibers

• Length of time a person is exposed to asbestos

• Genetic factors 

• Source of exposure (direct exposure or secondhand exposure from someone directly exposed)

Homes built before the 1990s may contain asbestos, but the only way to be sure is to have your home tested. Hire an asbestos testing and removal service to determine whether you have the hazardous material in your home and the best process for removing or sealing it.

No, you do not have to worry about new popcorn ceilings having asbestos. All residential building materials used since the mid-1980s stopped including asbestos, so new popcorn ceilings have no risk of asbestos. You can still create a textured drywall ceiling with a popcorn texture if you like, but new techniques have no risk of adding asbestos.