I purchased a home that has ceiling tiles that are painted on the exposed side, but have this gray swirly stuff on the back. Semi rigid, on tracks. Home is 1948, detached apartment over garage added in 1970. Both have the tile. Prior owner from 1980-1990 said it was here before he owned it. Most recent owner before me didn't disclose it as asbestos, but also ignore home inspection that noted ceiling issue (hole, damaged) and my request to repair in escrow. When I took occupancy, owner had slapped torn sheet rock over tiles in the middle of the room with screws (called it fixed). Stupidly, I tore out the ceiling and replaced it with sheet rock (with assistance due to my gender). I used my shop vac. without hep filter and never used a hep filter in my heating unit. I have four children (11,8,3,1) who have spent possibly five months breathing the dust that went airborne when torn down. I changed filters in the shop vac, but I used that thing every day to clean the wood floors. I am sending it off to be tested, but last night I was so worried about the tiles, I stayed up researching until 4 am. Do you think that five months of breathing the dust (due to winter, with heat pump running) that me and my kids are all loaded with it????? I am very concerned and very naive. Please don't tell me that I should have done whatever to the prior owner when I first notice the big patch job. Of course, I know that. I was just excited to own my home. April
