Definitely have to make sure it's not asbestos. Popcorn ceilings are the worst. One of our houses my wife asked me to put sparkles on the ceiling. Bought all the sparkles and the spray bottle. Painted a section then sprayed the crystals on. Repeated the process for the whole living room and dining room ceilings. When I went to wash I found out the sparkles were actually thin flakes of glass! I found out when I was rinsing my forearms. I brushed one arm with my hand and got a thousand little micro-cuts on my hand and arm. We did without sparkles from then on!