Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

yuja

Jul 20, 2010, 2:05 PM

Post #1 of 6 (2317 views)

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Asbestos in popcorn ceilings in mexico?

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Hi! Does anyone know if they used asbestos in popcorn ceiings here in mexico city? We've heard they did that a lot in the States in the 60's and are now wondering if it's safe to get rid of our popcorn ceilings. ( The building we live in was constructed aprox. during that time.)
We haven't been able to find out if they did or did not use asbestos in textured ( "popcorn") ceilings.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
J.

YucaLandia

Jul 21, 2010, 8:44 AM

Post #2 of 6 (2280 views)

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Re: [yuja] Asbestos in popcorn ceilings in mexico?

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I think you can partially determine if your ceiling potentially has asbestos yourself:
Wet a small area with water (to eliminate the chance of fiber/dust escaping), and pick off a few kernels.
Gently shred the wet kernels and inspect what the internal material seems like.
Wash hands thoroughly.

If the kernels contain styrofoam-like material, (little styrofoam balls), then it is likely styrofoam.

If the kernels contain crumbly or fibrous materials, then it's not likely styrofoam, but more likely asbestos.

In either case, it's best to remove the gunk only when it is well-wetted, by personnel wearing well-fitted, well-sealed dust mask(s) - using methods that minimize dust creation.

If you are concerned about asbestos, could you consider stabilizing the material in place with a latex rubber coating?
steve
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Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

yuja

Jul 21, 2010, 11:35 AM

Post #3 of 6 (2255 views)

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Re: [YucaLandia] Asbestos in popcorn ceilings in mexico?

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Thanks so much for ur reply. Examining a piece, that sounds like a good idea.
Maybe we should just paint over it and not try to take it off.

I just wish I knew if they did or did not use asbestos here in Mexico for the popcorn ceilings.
People here dont seem to have any idea.
:(
Janina

YucaLandia

Jul 21, 2010, 4:19 PM

Post #4 of 6 (2236 views)

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Re: [yuja] Asbestos in popcorn ceilings in mexico?

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yuja,

"Maybe we should just paint over it and not try to take it off. "

Good idea! Sorry for my earlier science-speak: " you (could) consider stabilizing the material in place with a latex rubber coating... ".

As a chemist, I was trying to say that you could paint over your popcorn ceiling it, and that latex rubber coatings are routinely used in the US as an approved way of trapping and fibers, since asbestos is only a health risk when it is releasing friable fibers.
steve
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post scripts:
The Higher Education Statistics Agency reports that:
"As asbestos use declined in the United States, there was a discernible shifting of the risks to Mexico. ... "
Asbestos consumption in Mexico doubled "between 1970 (40 000 metric tons) and 1980 (79 000 metric tons)."
http://hesa.etui-rehs.org/...ewsletter27p7-21.pdf

This basically says that asbestos was a widely used construction material (80 million pounds) in Mexico by 1970, and 160 million pounds per year by 1980, so, it is very possible that your popcorn ceiling is made of asbestos.

The Vancouver Sun reports Canadian firms continuing to sell asbestos to Mexico as a building material:

"Backed by public and private money and aided by scientists and friendly governments, the groups helped facilitate the sale of 2.2 million tons of asbestos last year, mostly in developing nations. "

So, public health experts expect: "future epidemics of lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, " in the developing world due to the continuing sales of Canadian asbestos.
http://www.vancouversun.com/...s/3306405/story.html
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Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

(This post was edited by YucaLandia on Jul 21, 2010, 4:30 PM)

skier14

Jul 21, 2010, 4:31 PM

Post #5 of 6 (2227 views)

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Re: [YucaLandia] Asbestos in popcorn ceilings in mexico?

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Being a chemist, what do you think of mixing all-purpose flour with yeso to feed to cockroaches?

YucaLandia

Jul 21, 2010, 5:17 PM

Post #6 of 6 (2218 views)

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Re: [skier14] Asbestos in popcorn ceilings in mexico?

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skier14,

"what do you think of mixing all-purpose flour with yeso to feed to cockroaches? "

In my understanding, yeso is CaSO4· 2H2O in a white fine powdered form typically used for making casts for setting broken bones. Is that the form you have/propose?

If it is in a well dessicated form, the yeso might work, but why not use the more effective borax or boric acid, which we know works really well on ants, cockroaches, et al?

One borax or boric acid (borato de sodio or acido borico) insecticide formula:
"Mix by stirring and sifting 1 ounce TSP (trisodium phosphate), 6 ounces borax*, 4 ounces sugar, and 8 ounces flour. Spread on floor of infested area. Repeat after 4 days and again after 2 weeks. (*Be VERY cautious when using Borax [boric acid], which can cause serious health problems, including death.)"
http://www.avianweb.com/cockroachcontrol.html

*Note that using dehydrating salts to poison insects also poses great risks to pets (especially cats) who might also encounter this tasty-but-toxic powder.
steve
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Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com