Drywall sander - GIF

[Frank S]

Until about 1982, this stuff had asbestos in it. So it should be treated as hazardous waste.

Asbestos or not the chalky gypsum dust from sanding off the popcorn is not something you want in your lungs.

[Floradawg]

Until about 1982, this stuff had asbestos in it. So it should be treated as hazardous waste.

I've heard that but I always thought it was a contemporary legend. It doesn't make sense to me that anyone would waste asbestos on that unless they were trying to get rid of it.

[hemmjo]

It you remove it by spraying with water, wait a couple minutes, then scrape, you eliminate both the dust and the fibers if there are any. It is messy, but cheap plastic drop cloths take care of that problem.