Asbestos-free ceiling tiles:

How to recognize ceiling tiles by visual inspection to note clear evidence of non-asbestos materials such as fiberglass, and how to confirm that other ceiling tiles or suspended ceiling panels are asbestos free by a simple lab test. Our page top photo shows an old acoustic ceiling tile that tests showed did not contain asbestos.

This article series assists building buyers, owners or inspectors who need to identify asbestos materials (or probable-asbestos) in buildings by simple visual inspection.

We provide photographs and descriptive text of asbestos insulation and other asbestos-containing products to permit identification of definite, probable, or possible asbestos materials in buildings.

How to Recognize or Test Ceiling Tiles or Suspended Ceiling Panels that DO NOT contain Asbestos

When we know absolutely nothing about a ceiling tile but someone's worried that it may contain asbestos, there are several questions that can be asked (and answered) that permit a reasonable guess that can rule out a concern the ceiling product contains asbestos.

Manufacturer:

Some companies assert that their ceiling tiles never contained asbestos.

Example:

ARMSTRONG CEILING TILES

Materials:

Some materials such as fiberglass can be easily identified by visual inspection and are not asbestos

Age:

ceiling tiles made in a country after asbestos was longer used are not an asbestos risk

Context:

Start by examining the ceiling tile and its contextual information such as building age, history, country and city of location, and history of renovations.

Detailed Steps to Rule Out Asbestos in Ceiling Tiles

1. Assign a ceiling tile production date:

What is the AGE of the Ceiling Tile? What is the age of the building? When were renovations done?

Determine or guess at the building age, years when remodeling was done, year when the ceiling tiles were installed, consider also, in an older building that older layers could contain asbestos (or lead or other hazards)

In North America the ceiling products were made or installed before 1986, treat the material as presumed to contain asbestos.

In other countries, review the dates by which asbestos was no longer used in building products - which may vary by country and also by materials involved.

See ASBESTOS CEILING TILE IDENTIFICATION

If you don't know the brand name of your flooring, continue with the steps below.

2. Describe the ceiling tile:

What are the General Ceiling Tile Pattern, Size, Type match against pattern guides given in the indexes in the Asbestos Ceiling Tile Identification Index given just above.

3. Find ceiling tile brand & model:

Look for a ceiling tile brand, pattern name, number, style If accessible, look for stampings or markings on the back of the ceiling tiles.

Occasionally we can find extra ceiling tiles stored in an attic, basement, or garage. An earlier owner or perhaps the installer left these for future repairs.

If you have ceiling tile packaging, take a look at the packaging, box brand, label, floor tile style or pattern. Often the manufacturer and product or serial number can identify ceiling tiles in exquisite detail.

If you can not see a flooring brand name or pattern for your ceiling tile material, as you usually won't, you should either test for asbestos or treat the ceiling tile as presumed to contain asbestos.

Some companies assert that their ceiling tiles never contained asbestos.

See ARMSTRONG CEILING TILES

4. Test the ceiling tile for asbestos:

Lab test a ceiling tile sample for asbestos content: if you face a costly dusty messy demolition it may be appropriate to have a sample of the ceiling tile tested.

If you have time and about $50. U.S.D. you can have a ceiling tile sample tested for asbestos using one of the certified asbestos testing labs in this

ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST

Watch out: however: some ceiling materials are made in three or more layers - multiple tests might be needed.

Asbestos is safe and legal to remain in homes or public buildings as long as the asbestos materials are in good condition and the asbestos can not be released into the air.

Generally the safest and most-economical approach is to leave asbestos-suspect ceilings in place, covering it over. In that case you do not need to test a sample for asbestos.

Treat the ceiling as PACM - Presumed Asbestos Containing Material - that means avoid making a dusty mess with grinding, sawing, chopping, etc. - ceiling tiles shed virtually nothing if not disturbed

Encapsulate or cover over the material, leaving it in place: generally the safest and least-costly approach to most asbestos-containing materials

Watch out: IF you must demolish the ceiling AND you cannot remove it without creating a dusty mess, STOP and either treat the ceiling as presumed to contain asbestos or have a sample tested.

Our ARTICLE INDEX includes more help in managing the risk of asbestos containing ceiling tiles, paints, or other materials.

Question: Johns Manville Ceiling Tiles - tested as asbestos free

2020/01/13 by private email

I recently removed all of the drop ceiling tiles in my home that was built in 1967.

I don’t know when the ceiling was put in, I’ve only owned the house for a year. I didn’t even think about asbestos as I associate that more with floor tiles.

Can you please tell me if you know of these tiles containing asbestos? I can’t find any info online when I search for the patent number.

They are 2x4. I was wearing a respirator but now I’m paranoid as all hell exposing my family to this crap.

I plan on getting it tested at a lab but want to know if you have any input.

Thanks for any help, - Anonymous

Reply: don't panic, don't make dusty mess

First try not to panic us that's bad for your health too. If you didn't make a Dusty mess the risks are probably quite low. I'm traveling and working in Mexico where I'm not at my computer until tomorrow.

But you could try this: a Google Patent Search or Google Scholar search on the patent numbers and see if the patents describe an asbestos containing material. Let me know what you find.

Reader follow-up:

Jan 13, 2020 - Wow, thank you for taking the time to reply. I searched the patent and found it was issued in February of 1969 but found no information regarding composition of material, just design.

It does describe the panels width as a “fragmentary” view. I’ve attached screen shots.

I was careful as to minimize the creation of dust (and there was a lot of mouse poop on top of panels, however the edges of the panels were very crumbly and a couple panels did break coming down. I took about 80 panels down in total.

Unfortunately the basement is a mess now, as all work stopped after my revelation.

Reply:

Okay so you want to damp wipe or HEPA vacuum the dusty areas and of course take care not to track dust elsewhere or you'll need to clean that area too.

Reader follow-up: tried calling Johns Manville - they wouldn't tell me

I found this attorney website (unknown credibility and obviously cant be all inclusive) asbestos-attorney.com/ asbestos_product_brands .htm that doesn't list any ceiling tiles for Johns Manville.

I did try calling Johns Manville direct but they wouldn't tell me either way.

The guy on the phone said the patent number was of no use for ID ing the product to him and recommended that I get it tested.

I noticed someone did post the exact same patent number and very similar description (although they were 2x2 and not 2x4) on your website but I never saw a followup by the poster if they were tested for asbestos or not.

I'll be dropping off a sample at a lab tomorrow and will keep you posted.

Thanks for your help. Safe travels, 21 Jan 2020

Moderator reply

Thank you for the update Danny and do keep me posted it will certainly be helpful to others as well. You wouldn't be surprised if there was a Mansville product that used asbestos since they used asbestos in quite a few things.

I agree that the patent number won't necessarily identify the specific ceiling tile product made by Johns Manville, but the person you spoke with may not have considered carefully just what patent numbers on products can tell us.

First, the most-recent patent date for patent numbers on a product tell us the oldest that the product could possibly be. That in turn can tell us if the product was made after asbestos was no longer used in consumer products of that type.

Second the patent numbers can, by reading the actual patent disclosure, tell us if asbestos is even mentioned in the patent description - often a useful clue about the possibility of asbestos content in a product that was patented.

For example some building material patents may specifically claim that asbestos was an ingredient in the product.

Of course none of this is an assertion that your specific ceiling tiles contain asbestos as many do not.

I'm looking at your photo of the edge of the product you could at least rule out fiberglass and I don't think that I saw what looks like cellulose but I will be interested in what the lab has to say. - 21 Jan 2020

Reader follow-up: these Johns Manville ceiling tiles were tested and found "negative" for asbestos

The ceiling tile/panel was negative for asbestos. Feel free to use the pictures and share results on your website.

I also had 4 other samples done. I can share those pictures and results with you, if you’d like.

The only positive result was a floor tile that is under carpet. I’m relieved to say the least. 21 Jan 2020

Moderator reply:

When you have energy to send along the other photos and if you can, the test reports that'd be great. When published our default is to keep you anonymous, editing or blanking out report ID info as appropriate if those appear online. 21 Jan 2020

Reader Question: Are These Asbestos Ceiling Tiles?

[Click to enlarge any image]

I hope you could help us identify if this ceiling material used contains asbestos. Kindly validate. Thank you. [unsigned, sent from Blackberry]

Reply: Unlikely. The ceiling tiles in this photo look like plastic-coated fiberglass suspended ceiling panels

A competent onsite inspection by an expert usually finds additional clues that help accurately diagnose a problem or might find asbestos containing materials that you have not noticed.

That said, - no the material shown in your photo looks like fiberglass panels used in a suspended ceiling; the panels include a white plastic surface that faces down into the room, sometimes the surfaces may have been painted to cover stains.

Do not assume, based on a single item that has caught your eye, that there are no asbestos materials in the building, and of course there could be other environmental or even indoor air quality in the building.

The presence of what looks like thermal tracking stains present on the edges of the fiberglass suspended ceiling panels in your photo and the fact that it looks as if the panels may have been painted could be clues about un-wanted air leakage and possible water leaks from above.

Watch out: normally asbestos-containing materials are not validated nor in-validated based on free emails sent to a stranger. But in this case the contents of the photo above are rather apparent.

Just above we show a cache of older 9-inch ceiling tiles found in the attic of an older home.

These ceiling tiles might be an asbestos containing material. We expected to find multiple layers of ceilings in this pre-1900 home, some of which were likely to make use of 1960's era acoustic ceiling tiles like the ones in our photo.

How to Identify Non-Asbestos Acoustic Ceiling Tiles by Lab Test

Photos & Lab Test Results for Acoustic Ceiling Tiles Found NOT to Contain Asbestos

Acoustic Ceiling Tile Sample No. 12: 12-inch acoustic ceiling tile, Location: Two Harbors MN, acoustic ceiling tile from a home constructed in 1960, collected ca. 2019/12/01 (by L.C.) and shown above is the full tile and just and below a closer-look at the tile edge from the back surface.

Below are photographs of this same ceiling tile under the stereo microscope in our laboratory, showing a wood-fibre like construction coated with paint on the ceiling tile's exposed surface.

Below is a closer look at the cellulose-like fibres visible on the tile back surface, suggesting that this may be a straight cellulose product, followed by a photo of the partly legible manufacturer's number stamp, probably a ceiling tile model number.

...

Acoustic Ceiling Tile Sample No. 13: 9-inch acoustic ceiling tile, Location: Two Harbors MN, acoustic ceiling tile from a home constructed in 1960, collected 2006/03/23 (by the author) and shown just below.

...

Below: Sample 12 ceiling tiles under the stereo microscope in our laboratory.

...

The brown wood-fibres visible even under the stereo microscope, before higher-resolution microscopy or PLM, suggest that this is a cellulose - wood-based - product.

Below: we sent both of these samples to a certified asbestos test lab for characterization and to screen for asbestos.

Report below: EMSL report on the same sample No. 012 using Asbestos Analysis of Bulk Materials via EPA 600/R-93/116 Method using Polarized Light Microscopy

The lab found for acoustic ceiling tile sample 12:

• Brown/White fibrous homogeneous material
• 90% cellulose
• 10% non-fibrous (other)
• Asbestos not detected

The lab found for our acoustic ceiling tile sample 13:

• Brown/white fibrous homogeneous material
• 95% cellulose
• 5 % non-fibrous (other)
• Asbestos not detected

• ASBESTOS TEST DESCRIPTION: PLM and TEM EPA 600/R-93/116) [PDF] 2020-01-23, used for InspectApedia.com asbestos test analysis via two methods, polarized light microscopy (low magnification stereo microscopy) and transmission electron microscopy (at about 20,000x) PLM EPA 600/R-93/116 (< 1%) & TEM EPA 600/R-93/116 (<0.01%).
  
  for samples No. 001-005 and 008-014.
• ASBESTOS TEST RESULTS SUMMARY [PDF] 2020/01-18-20, Test Report: Asbestos Analysis of Bulk Materials via EPA 600/R-93/116 Method using Polarized Light Microscopy EMSL Ord No. 042000629 2019-12-26 for samples No. 001-005 and 008-015. For samples 001-005, and 008-014
  

Sample No. 12: see details at CEILING TILE ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION - 12-13 - 1960 acoustic ceiling tile, TH MN

Sample No. 13: see details at CEILING TILE ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION - 12-13 - 1960 acoustic ceiling tile, TH MN

• Contact: EMSL Analytical, Inc., 200 Route 130 North, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077 USA, Tel: 856-303-2500 - Fax: 856-786-5974 - Toll Free: 800-220-3675
  Lab Hours: Mon-Friday 7AM-10PM, Saturday 8AM-5PM, Sunday On-Call.
• ASBESTOS TEST LABS in the USA - EXAMPLE REPORTS - provides fourteen example asbestos test results from EMSL

 

Other Asbestos-Free Acoustic & Suspended Ceiling Tiles

Reader comment: Lab test confirms no asbestos in a representative ceiling tile

I posted to the asbestos page 2 days ago about helping me understand my lab report.

From what I can make out it’s safe for me to work around these tiles. I started to replace light fixtures in my basement and these tiles came down while I was working.

I’ve attached the CEILING TILE ASBESTOS TEST REPORT [PDF] and appreciate the help. - Anonymous by private email 2020/09/10

This discussion was posted originally by HS at

ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST

Moderator reply:

Your report says that no asbestos was detected and notes that the basement ceiling material you submitted was homogeneous, tan and white, with 7.4% mineral wool.

Of course in any environmental test, EVERYTHING depends on where, when, how, under what conditions such a test was performed. For example if someone tested areas of the building outside the area that concerns you then the test would not be helpful.

Reader follow-up:

Thanks for the reply, it’s appreciated. I had the lab test just one ceiling tile and no other samples. I’m guessing it’s safe for me to work on the light fixture.

Reader comment: I live in a house built in 1954. I am worried that some of the materials in one room may contain asbestos.

The room in question appears to have been a garage carport that was enclosed a number of years after the home was built.

The ceiling in that room has acoustic tiles that resemble some of the tiles that have been known to have asbestos. I have taken a sample using the wetting methods I found on your site and elsewhere, but I wanted to check with you before I send them off to be tested.

The 12x12 floor tiles in the same room were recently covered with carpet and I never had a chance to take a sample.

The carpet was damaged by an clothing iron and I'm concerned that replacing the section of carpeting may disturb the tiles in question.

However, I'd probably just take a sample once that work was done so I guess I don't actually have a question concerning that.

I've included pictures of the ceiling. I understand that you are a paid consultant but I'm not sure if this question requires a fee. Thanks for your help! - R.N. 10 Feb 2013

Reply:

Often ceiling tiles that look like the ones in your photos do contain asbestos so your choices are to treat them assuming that they are asbestos containing or if you want to send a sample to a laboratory then you just want to select a certified asbestos testing laboratory.

Most of your ceiling, at least from the two photos, looked as if it were in good condition.

If there were a concern with fiber or dust release from the ceiling I might have suggested a coating or sealant - giving up some of the acoustic properties by painting is not such a big loss on this ceiling; or it may have already been painted. One could tell by looking for paint deposits in some of the acoustic holes in the tiles.

Certainly if you plan any demolition it makes sense to use appropriate dust control as if the material contained asbestos, not only to be safe (if you've not had testing done), but because high levels of dust can be a respiratory irritant or hazard whether or not there is asbestos present.

Reader Follow-up:

Thank you Mr. Friedman, I'll send my sample to one of those labs on Monday. I appreciate your help.
I just wanted to let you know that I had my ceiling tested and no asbestos was found. The lab was an accredited one so I trust I can assume there test to be accurate.. Thanks for your previous help!

Reply:

Thanks for the follow-up and the photos. As long as your asbestos testing lab was a certified one we can be confident in these interesting results: an indication that not all old acoustic ceiling tiles contained asbestos. Indeed some manufacturers assert that their ceiling products never did.

 

Reader Question: How do I test Ceiling Tiles for Asbestos?

A hardware store employee told me to use the lead paint test kit on one of the acoustic ceiling tiles. He said that, after all these years (since 1965) it would show positive for lead, if in fact the tiles contain asbestos. Is this true? - Deb.

Reply: visual inspection plus sample collection to send to a certified asbestos testing laboratory

Deb, a lead paint test has nothing to do with and is not capable of detecting asbestos in building products. The hardware store guy who told you to use a lead paint test to screen for asbestos was mistaken.

1. First make a visual inspection of the ceiling tile or panel. Some products can be positively identified as fiberglass or compact fiberglass - not an asbestos material, as you'll see illustrated in our photos in the next Q&A just below. Also
   
   see ASBESTOS-FREE INSULATION MATERIALS.
2. Next, contact a local certified asbestos testing lab in your area or use one of the national labs that confirms that they are certified for asbestos testing. The lab can give you specific sample collection instructions. Also
   
   see ASBESTOS REMOVAL, WETTING GUIDELINES.
   
   Typically the asbestos test makes use of polarized light microscopy, is quick, and is not expensive. The result will tell you if your ceiling product contains asbestos and if so what type of asbestos (hazard levels vary) and at what level.
3. Watch out: dust from demolition of many building products can be irritating and even harmful regardless of whether or not the material contains asbestos fibers or particles.
   
   Good dust control measures can avoid spreading dust throughout the building during material removal or remodeling, and proper personal protection can protect workers as well.

Reader Question: Do These Ceiling Tiles Contain Asbestos - ... Tested = No they don't

We just bought a home. It was updated extensively/an addition put on sometime in the 60's-70's we think.

And then again in the late 80's-early nineties. We are finding these "tiles" for lack of a better term EVERYWHERE.

From what I am finding online it looks like "wood cement acoustic tile?" We haven't disturbed it significantly yet, although we did begin to remove some wallpaper it is attached to, but then stopped when we found it.

Should this be cause for concern? Our home inspection did not cover asbestos. And we didn't realize this material could be hazardous. We are feeling a little foolish and a lot concerned, as we have two young children also.

Any info you have, or direction you could point us in would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much in advance, - A.M. 21 Oct 2014

Reply:

The brown colour looks to me as if this is a wood or cellulose insulating board product. Don't feel too foolish - unless you made a significant dusty mess the chances are that the dust exposure from what you've done so far is below measurement.

If you can remove the material without disturbing it do so. If it needs to be disturbed risking dust, I'd have a sample tested to be sure of its safety: the cost is around $50. U.S.

See ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST [Link given below] and do keep me posted on results if you have this tested.

Reader Follow-Up:

I am calling a lab in Cincinnati tomorrow morning. I will certainly let you know!

... It was NOT asbestos. - A.M. 11/11/2014

Question: are these apartment ceiling tiles an asbestos hazard?

2016/03/31 Edwin said:

Hi I just moved into a apartment in CA.. My lease did say that the building may have asbestos in it and it said not to mess with the ceiling tiles at all! My father says I have nothing to worry about but I'm still uneasy about the whole thing. Can you tell me if these tiles have asbestos in it? Or appear to?

Reply:

Some ceiling tiles contain asbestos and others don't. From your e-text and even with the photo, one cannot say for sure what's in your ceiling. But you've been warned by the building to leave the ceiling alone. Asbestos is not like a radioactive material. If it is intact, surface-sealed, and not disturbed, it's not likely to be a measurable hazard.

I do see signs of a leak in the ceiling above, as well as signs that some ceiling tiles have been replaced. From my experience it is almost impossible to remove and replace fibre-type ceiling tiles without causing at least a little fiber shedding. That's probably why the apartment management asked you to leave the ceilings alone.

To know for sure what the ceiling tiles contain you'd need to collect a small sample for analysis by an asbestos test lab. That cost is typically under $50

See ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST if you decide to have a test performed, and do keep me informed as what you find will surely assist other readers. You might also ask to see a copy of asbestos inspection & test reports pertaining to your apartment or building. Not all ceiling tiles contain asbestos.

Watch out: Also, I'd take care to keep an eye on workers who might do work in your apartment if that requires disturbing the ceiling. If tiles are damaged and a dusty mess is made, it needs to be cleaned up properly. Running a vacuum -cleaner that's not HEPA rated, for example, increases the level of small airborne particles.

Question: do these metallic-flaked white perforated 12x12 ceiling tiles contain asbestos?

Do you think these 12x12 ceiling tiles with metallic sparkly flakes contain asbestos?

The house was built in 1955; we see no identifying markings on the ceiling tiles. - anonymous by private email 2017/04/12

Reply:

My advice has to be the same as we posted in the online discussion for this ceiling: from a photograph, no date, no markings, no product name or ID, we're left having to suggest that you have a sample tested.

However very faintly I see what looks like a tile edge in your photo. Take a look, if you can see the edges of the material. If you see fiberglass, that's not an asbestos product.

If the edges are a yellow paper-like material that's probably a cellulose-based material.

Anon Said:

[Because I'm worried about this ceiling] we're taking a ceiling tile sample to micro air, inc. an NVLAP registered asbestos test lab 2 hours away in Indianapolis for same-day testing ($120. U.S.).

It seems as if you are pretty confident this is NOT an asbestos tile. Is that fair to say?

Reply:

Unless there are known product brand and model markings that identify a material known already to be asbestos free, (such as fiberglass or such as specific product brand labels) one cannot be absolutely confident about the asbestos content in a material from photographs of the ceiling tile.

But usually the yellow papery like material such as shown in your photo of the ceiling tile edge is cellulose - a wood product.

Making trouble for that assumption is the fact that there were some similar-looking ceiling tiles that did include asbestos, as we describe separately

at ASBESTOS CEILING TILES.

If you have not created a dusty mess by demolition then even where a ceiling tile contains asbestos, the amount of asbestos in building air and dust from the intact, un-disturbed asbestos-containing ceiling tiles would be usually between extremely-low and below the limits of detection.

Generally the best course is to leave intact asbestos-suspect ceiling, wall, or floor material alone, covering it with drywall (or flooring) to form a new surface.

When the material has already made a dusty mess or if it must be demolished, then lab testing to confirm the presence or absence of asbestos is justified.

Asbestos isn't "radioactive" - it doesn't emit harmful particles into building air when covered-over or otherwise sealed, and as the US EPA recommends, the risk of asbestos-exposure from that approach is far less than the asbestos exposure hazard caused by demolition.

Fight that panic - lest opportunists gouge you. Pretend to be calm, even if you're not.

Reader follow-up: these ceiling tiles were found to contain 98% cellulose, 2% binder.

Just got the report back. 98% cellulose, 2% binder.

the asbestos test lab report (not reproduced here) included the following data:

Notes to the table above

Notes: Concentration of greater than one (1) percent of any type of asbestos means a sample meets the EPA definition of an asbestos-containing material.

... [other report explanatory contents deleted]

... Analyst name & reviewer names deleted - Ed.

Analytical Method: EPA Method 600-M4-82-020 & EPA Method 600-R93-116 (1993)

 

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2023-02-14 by InspectApedia Editor

@Sevans55217,

Although your tiles look similar to ones we had tested and discuss above on this page as not containing asbestos, that is not a guarantee of being asbestos free as other similar tiles may contain asbestos.

If they are from the early 1980s, it is possible that they may contain asbestos as it was not discontinued entirely until 1986 in North America.

Your testing will give you a definitive answer and we'd like to hear the results of your testing as that will help other readers also.

In the meantime, see the live link in the Recommended Articles list above for

DO THESE CEILING TILES CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 6 Easy Steps to tell if CEILING TILES are likely to contain asbestos

You may have additional information about these tiles that help answer some of these questions and give you a better idea of their content.

On 2023-02-14 by Sevans55217

Hi I plan on sending this out but wanted an opinion I started demo of this closet and was a little nervous after seeing these tiles. This was a furnace closet and they lined it with these tiles for the noise absorbtion. The furnace removed was from the 1980's the house was built in 1933. I assume the tiles are from the 80's due to renovations.

...

On 2022-11-04 by InspectApedia (Editor) - 1960s ceiling tiles might contain asbestos

@Anonymous,

It's possible that your ceiling tiles contain asbestos if they were in deed manufactured in the 1960s, but not all such ceiling tiles do contain that material.

This article:

DO THESE CEILING TILES CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 6 Easy Steps to tell if CEILING TILES are likely to contain asbestos -

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Ceiling_Tiles.php#asbmaybe

might be helpful.

On 2022-11-04 by Anonymous

I have white 12 inch square ceiling tiles that are stapled in from the the 1960s. Would there be asbestos in these?

On 2023-01-11 by InspectApedia Publisher - ceiling tile asbestos test report

@Johnna

Thank you for taking the time to follow up I certainly will add that information as it will be helpful to others. If you want to share your asbestos report I'd like to see it. Of course we wouldn't publish your personal information.

Readers can see a redacted copy of this CEILING TILE ASBESTOS TEST REPORT [PDF] confirming that asbestos was not detected

Special thanks to our InspectApedia reader.

On 2023-01-11 by Johnna

RE-posting from private email

Hey Daniel, I got a test and the tile did not contain asbestos. If you want to update the thread. Thanks for helping!

Mon, Sep 12, 2022

On 2022-10-27 by Patrick

@Johnna, any update on test results? We have something very similar on our basement ceiling.

On 2022-09-10 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - wood- or plant-based fiber product ceiling tile

@Johnna,

The edge of that ceiling tile looks like a wood- or plant-based fiber product.

Please take a look at

DO THESE CEILING TILES CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 6 Easy Steps to tell if CEILING TILES are likely to contain asbestos -

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Ceiling_Tiles.php#asbmaybe

where you'll see that providing a little contextual information allows a "best guess" at the asbestos ceiling tile question - that's about as far as we should go without testing.

IF you had to do a dusty demolition it'd be cost-justified to have the ceiling tested for asbestos.

On 2022-09-10 by Johnna

Do these look to contain asbestos? Will take a piece for testing and update. Just looking for opinions thanks.

On 2022-02-24 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Beth,

Unfortunately we can't make a reliable "asbestos or not" guess on ceiling tiles from your photo of the ceiling’s exposed-surface alone, nor building age alone, unless the age of your building itself places it after asbestos was common in products like ceiling and floor tiles in your country. For the U.S. that’s 1986.

See

DO THESE CEILING TILES CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 6 Easy Steps to tell if CEILING TILES are likely to contain asbestos

will let you make the best guess you can, pending actually having a ceiling tile sample tested for asbestos.

Notice: Asbestos is safe and legal to remain in homes or public buildings as long as the asbestos materials are in good condition and the asbestos can not be released into the air. If your ceiling is un-damaged and is not being disturbed by demolition or renovations, it is not at all likely that hazardous asbestos would be detected in your building’s air or dust from that source.

On 2022-02-24 by Beth

There are no numbers or brands on the ceiling tiles. Do you think they have asbestos? Some have been damaged and we are going to take them down. They are white on one side and brown on the back. Thanks

On 2022-07-08 by Will - test report for cellulose ceiling tile - asbestos not detected in 1960s ceiling tiles

@InspectApedia-911, You're welcome, I've gone ahead and sent an email to the contact address with

a copy of the CEILING TILE ASBESTOS TEST REPORT [PDF] [redacted to remove personal information - Ed.]

And much appreciation to this website, is truely very helpful with information on what to look for and testing recommendations. I'm happy to contribute what I can.

On 2022-07-08 by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@Will,

Thank you, yes it would be very useful to have a copy of the report on file. Naturally anything that we provide publicly is redacted to protect your personal information

You can use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to send us email.

On 2022-07-08 by Will

@InspectApedia-911, Was very glad that was the result indeed, bit of a relief now, and you're welcome, happy to follow up, and a big thanks for all the information on this site, was thanks to find this place that I found the lab that I sent my sample off to. I'd be happy to send a redacted copy of the report if wanted.

On 2022-07-07 by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@Will,

Good news, and thank you for following up as your results will help others.

On 2022-07-07 by Will

@InspectApedia-911, Thanks so much again for the replies. I got the results back today from the extra tile I used to cut a sample from, they do not contain asbestos, they are 90% cellulose.

On 2022-07-06 by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@Will,

Thank you for that added detail. The bottom line is that if you're not disturbing the ceiling tiles by chopping grinding sawing or sanding then there's no measurable hazard from the tiles ingredients.

Although there are of course special paints used to seal asbestos or asbestos suspect surfaces, for a tiny area like the one in your photo a quick shot with a white spray lacquer could stabilize the surface.

On 2022-07-05 by Will

@InspectApedia-911, Thanks so much for the reply, unfortunately the original box they came in probably was discarded decades ago, they were just in a generic box, and carefully checking the tiles, I can't find a manufacturer mark or any indication, all that seems to be on the back of these is a left and right arrow marking how to place it, I thought maybe they just faded out, but I didn't see a mark on any of the spares, but it's possible I missed it.

I know the house was built in about 65, then it was sold to my grandparents in 1980, in about 1986 they had an addition added, bearing in mind they did run a group home for awhile, the owners before them ran a group home for the state as well, but I'm not certain if Florida required asbestos testing during that time period or not for things of that nature.

I know they required some kind of radiation test, radon possibly, at least according to my grandmother, but she can't remember any other tests they did, and I'm not certain if disclosure was required before a sale in 1980 of any asbestos product.

So unfortunately, aside from pending test results there's not much to go on, unfortunately I can't even find a manfacturer, unless again maybe they used small markings or something of that nature during that time that I may have missed, and surprisingly I've never heard anyone ever mention anything about them, and I'm surprised none of them have a date mark or anything.

At the moment all I've done is remove a smoke detector, and some did flake down, but I stopped after seeing that (after I became more unsure of what I was dealing with) and sent a sample off today. I will definitely be sure to post a follow up when I get the test results.

On 2022-07-05 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - ceiling tile looks like a wood fiber product (not asbestos)

@Will,

That looks like a wood fibre product, but we can't be confident on the ceiling tile asbestos question without a manufacturer or product and date identification. The pattern is a common one provided by multiple manufacturers. Certainly some 1960s ceiling tiles contained asbestos.

To make a reasonable guess, pending your lab results, a bit of surrounding data (some of which you've already provided) would be helpful: see

DO THESE CEILING TILES CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 6 Easy Steps to tell if CEILING TILES are likely to contain asbestos -

and do let us know

On 2022-07-05 by Will

Just curious to get an opinion, I'm sending a sample in, but I was removing a smoke detector in my grandparents home and this is what I came across, never thought about the possibility of asbestos in the tiles, it did crumble a bit (so I guess there's a possibility I've been exposed to a minor amount at least, but was wearing safety glasses and a basic mask, better than nothing I suppose), but I wiped everything off with damp cloths and washed everything.

Just wondering if this looks like a tile style that may have asbestos in it? It looks like cellulose, but I won't know until I get the results, just curious to see if anyone else has seen these style tiles before, the house was built in 65-66, with an addition in 86, so I've no idea if the tiles were original or later, and I didn't see any markings on the back of one of the spares that I used to cut samples from.

This Q&A were posted originally at ASBESTOS CEILING TILE FAQs-7

On 2021-10-25 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - asbestos unlikely in Esso Classic ceiling tiles sold in Canada

@Alain,

Thank you for the photo and the question evolving Esso brand ceiling tiles.

Also a photo of the edge of the ceiling tile and the back and the exposed surface would be good to document this question.

As you know ESSO was an oil company. apparently also for a time engaged in the production of some building materials.

The "ESSO" Trademark was registered in Canada on 11/11/1926 and pertained to a wide range of products;

Among Esso's building materials that carried the Esso trademark (*ESSO in an oval as shown in your photo) were Esso's fibreboard ceiling tiles and lay-in panels.

- Source: ESSO Trademark History ESSO - 0130671 [PDF] Canadian Government Patent Office, retrieved 2021/10/25, original source: http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/opic-cipo/trdmrks/srch/viewTrademark.html

Fibreboard is normally a wood-product, not an asbestos product. So chances are your Esso ceiling tiles don't contain asbestos (though to be 100% certain you'd have a lab test performed).

Also see FIBERBOARD ASBESTOS CONTENT

We will do some additional research to see what we can find. If you can provide clear photos of any other stamps or markings on your ceiling product, including patent numbers, that would be helpful.

On 2021-10-24 by Alain

Hello. I have Esso Esteem ceiling tiles, 12 inches by 12 inches, tongue and groove. I can't find anything about them. Can you help me determine if they contain asbestos? I want to remove some of them as part of a renovation.

[Photo shown above - Ed.]

On 2021-10-17 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Simone,

Please see

DO THESE CEILING TILES CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 6 Easy Steps to tell if CEILING TILES are likely to contain asbestos -

inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Ceiling_Tiles.php

On 2021-10-16 by Simone

I have these ceiling tiles. Very friable material painted white, could it be asbestos?

On 2021-09-21 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - asbestos not likely in tan wood-fibre acoustic ceiling tiles of British phone booth

@Luella,

Usually those tan fibrous ceiling tiles are wood-fibres.

So your British Phone Booth ceiling tiles, an acoustic tile intended to reduce un-wanted noise for people using the phone booth, are not likely to be an asbestos product.

Also see

DO THESE CEILING TILES CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 6 Easy Steps to tell if CEILING TILES are likely to contain asbestos -

inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Ceiling_Tiles.php#asbmaybe

On 2021-09-20 by Luella

I have a custom made wooden British phone booth and it has these titles inside it. I have had it for years. I never thought about it, but now I have a kid and I wondered if these are asbestos.

On 2021-07-25 by (mod)

@Carolyn, wish we could help but from your photo no one can say if that ceiling contains asbestos or not.

Take a look at the suggestions at

DO THESE CEILING TILES CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 6 Easy Steps to tell if CEILING TILES are likely to contain asbestos -

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Ceiling_Tiles.php#asbmaybe

that let you make a better guess - short of testing that's the best you can do.

On 2021-07-25 by Carolyn

Hi there,

White and brownish orange ceiling tiles in new apartment. Don’t want to disturb them in case they do contain asbestos. Here is an image with view of inside.

On 2021-06-10 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Anonymous,

Glad to assist.

Please keep us posted.

On 2021-06-10 by Anonymous

@inspectapedia.com.moderator, thanks a lot for ur suggestions i would definitely do that

On 2021-06-10 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod) - tan woody fiber ceiling tiles not likely to contain asbestos: paint to stabilize

@Anika,

Keep in mind that ceiling tiles, like floor tiles, don't shed measurable or hazardous levels of particles when they are in good condition. If that hole in a ceiling tile in your photos is the only damage on your ceiling, it's not significant.

To stabilize against fiber shedding or ceiling damage you might want to spray paint that little damaged area with a color matched paint.

On 2021-06-10 by Anika

@Anika, thanks a lot for such prompt reply of yours since i have a baby staying with me that was wherr my worry started still attaching a clear image for yout reference purpose and as its a rented house i am not very sure if my landlord will agree for any such kind of celing tests but even i guess its a wood/cellulose

On 2021-06-10 by inspectapedia.com.moderator (mod)

@Anika, that looks like a wood / cellulose product, but See

DO THESE CEILING TILES CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 6 Easy Steps to tell if CEILING TILES are likely to contain asbestos

at

inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Ceiling_Tiles.php#asbmaybe

That will let you make the best guess you can pending actually having a ceiling tile sample tested for asbestos.

On 2021-06-10 by Anika

Hi this the image of the celing of my basement room where i am living and i am worried if this contains asbestos or its just the normal wood or cellulite pls help me

On 2021-06-10 0 by Kavita

Thanks a lot for ur valuable suggestions

On 2021-06-08 - by (mod) -

@Kavita,

Thank you for the photo and asbestos question.

Unfortunately we can't make a reliable "asbestos or not" guess on ceiling tiles from your photo of the ceiling’s exposed-surface alone, nor building age alone, unless the age of your building itself places it after asbestos was common in products like ceiling and floor tiles in your country. For the U.S. that’s 1986.

See
DO THESE CEILING TILES CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 6 Easy Steps to tell if CEILING TILES are likely to contain asbestos - that will let you make the best guess you can pending actually having a ceiling tile sample tested for asbestos.

Notice: Asbestos is safe and legal to remain in homes or public buildings as long as the asbestos materials are in good condition and the asbestos can not be released into the air. If your ceiling is un-damaged and is not being disturbed by demolition or renovations, it is not at all likely that hazardous asbestos would be detected in your building’s air or dust from that source.

On 2021-06-08 by Kavita

Hi this the image of the celing of my basement room where i am living and i am worried if this contains asbestos or its just the normal wood or cellulite pls help me i cant find the brand name nor can i find the code number written on this celing this house is old and i am staying for rent pls help me

On 2021-05-12 - by (mod) -

@Helen,

Most often ceiling tiles that clearly look like a wood or cellulose product are not an asbestos material but of course no one can be 100% certain I an image and no other data. Above on this page are some other suggestions for you.

On 2021-05-12 by Helen

Hello, I have acoustic tiles around the window frames in my 1930s house - they are identical in appearance to some shown on your website. (If you know the brand name of these I’d be interested) The inside looks like wood fibre. Do you think they are likely to contain asbestos?

On 2021-05-12 by (mod) - gray / white ceiling tile base more likely to contain asbestos; don't make dust nor demolish

@Thomas,

I'm sorry I don't recognize that ceiling tile. You would need to either test the tile or if you had dust or Dusty clothing from working in a highly Dusty area following the removal of those tiles you could have that tested for asbestos

. In any event you're not in that environment now so the thing to do is make sure that you have thoroughly cleaned any clothing or other items that were Dusty.

As a wild guess: I THINK that through its colouring I see what may be cellulosic or wood-material fibres - not an asbestos material - that was spray-painted white, but I can't really know; when we see gray or whitish material in the body of a ceiling tile in my OPIION it's a stronger candidate for an asbestos-containing product.

On 2021-05-11 by Thomas

Hello,

I was working in building maintaining equipment that was covered with dust from drop ceiling tiles that will removed sometime before.

Do these drop ceiling tiles look like they contain asbestos? I was not in a position to look for any labels or markings on the tiles.

I’m really really concerned I had to work in this environment that potentially could have contain asbestos to debris.

Any help would be appreciated.

On 2021-02-10 - by (mod) -

Typically if you see a tan paper-like or fibrous material that is not fiberglass then it's a wood or bagasse or sugar cane or a similar vegetable product. But you will want to review the cases of even occasional cross-contamination of such material.

On 2021-02-10 by Matt Nolan

i know you cannot be sure, but from reading prior comments and pictures does this sample seem to be wood or cellulose ?

On 2021-02-03 by (mod)

Possibly, you'd need to consider more information.

see DO THESE CEILING TILES CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 6 Easy Steps to tell if CEILING TILES are likely to contain asbestos

From enlarging your photo I see that we might be looking at brown fibrous ceiling tile material that was sprayed with white paint.

On 2021-02-01 by (mod)

Jenna, I do not know - you'd need to test the ceiling for an authoritative answer to the asbestos question, but when we see gray or whitish material in the body of a ceiling tile in my OPIION it's a stronger candidate for an asbestos-containing product.

On 2021-02-01 by Jenna

Hi do these look like asbestos containing?

On 2020-12-13 - by (mod) -

Painting over it is a perfect thing to do.

On 2020-12-13 by SG

I was painting drop ceiling tiles and removed a piece of duct tape which had been stuck to the ceiling, in doing so it tore some of the paper off of the tile. Does this look like asbestos? Will painting over this damage seal it? The paper is white, the underneath was a woody color... thank you.

On 2020-12-10 - by (mod) -

Brad,
and also
Mike, Aaron, Lee, Jennifer and VIctor:

Please find your question and photo and my detailed reply now at ASBESTOS FREE CEILING TILE FAQs - questions & answers posted originally on this page

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos-Free-Ceiling-Tile-FAQs.php

I've collected our discussion there to preserve your photos and our initial reply.

We welcome your further photos, comments, questions.

On 2020-12-10 by (mod) - brown wood fibrous ceiling tiles less-likely to contain asbestos

Brad, that looks like a wood fibre material, but for better guess at ceiling tile asbestos see DO THESE CEILING TILES CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

inspectapedia.com/hazmat/Asbestos_Ceiling_Tiles.php#asbmaybe

Also, use the on-page Search Box to find our article on FIBERBOARD panels as I suspect what you have there is a bit of fiberboard or Beaver Board or a similar product.

To know for certain you'd need to have a sample tested for asbestos.

On 2020-12-10 by Brad

Was wondering if this is possibly asbestos. The house was built in 1955 and this in a garage as the ceiling panels. There was an addition put on later on the has a similar but seems less quality material as it says in between studs. This is the sample on the 1955 part.

On 2020-08-31 - by (mod) -

Thomas

One can't say by the photo alone if your ceiling tiles contain asbestos. Take a look at an edge of these drop-in ceiling sections. If you see fiberglass you have an easy answer. If not, you'd need to test a sample for asbestos.

On 2020-08-23 by Thomas

Just moved into home which was built in 1973 our inspector said the drop tiles was from the 70s and we should check maybe for absestos not sure if these tiles may have it

On 2020-06-22 by Jose

@Jose, Any ideas?

I just moved into a new building for work that I believe was built in the 50s or 60s. Some of the ceiling tiles are in disrepair. Based on what I have seen, it looks like it is cellulose and not asbestos, but I wanted to get some opinions

. I know you can't know for sure without testing, but how likely is it? I'd rather not cause a fuss at work, especially, since it should not be disturbed anyway. Does it appear safe in the state it is in?

On 2020-05-16 - by (mod) -

Anon

That looks like a cellulose material, but I can't bet your health and money on a photo. I'd have a sample tested,
OR
treat the material as presumed to contain asbestos,

On 2020-05-16 by Alisa

Asbestos? Cardboard feeling tongue and groove square tiles for ceilings

 

These are square tongue and groove ceiling titles. House was built in 1953, not sure when they were installed as a basement ceiling. Asbestos?

On 2020-04-19 - by (mod) -

Cellulose = wood

On 2020-04-19 by Anonymous

Thank you for the reply! Is Cellulose an asbestos containing product?

On 2020-04-18 - by (mod) -

Looks like a cellulose product although it's not exactly the same as the similar one at the top of this page. You'll notice that one has a blue line on the tile.

On 2020-04-18 by Jeremy

I believe these match the ones in the article that tested negative. Can someone confirm?

On 2020-04-14 - by (mod) -

It's a bit of a dark blurry photo but from what I can see this looks like a cellulose or fiberboard based material adjacent to what looks like plastic or vinyl surfaced hardboard paneling.

On 2020-04-14 by Riles

Hey There,

I was wondering if these contain asbestos?

12" x 12" off white, cardboard texture.

On 2020-03-05 by Anonymous

No, Tracy.

On 2020-03-05 by Tracy

Do fiberglass ceiling tiles with plastic coating on the exterior side contain asbestos? I bought a house build in 1967 and the guest bedroom has a drop ceiling with a lightweight, fiberglass panel.

...

Continue reading  at DO THESE CEILING TILES CONTAIN ASBESTOS? or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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• CEILING TILE MATERIALS
• DO THESE CEILING TILES CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 6 Easy Steps to tell if CEILING TILES are likely to contain asbestos -
• TEST KIT for DUST, MOLD, PARTICLES: INSTRUCTIONS

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