Painting - asbestos in popcorn ceiling

I have to remove some popcorn ceilings from an old (1959)house. I understand that popcorn put on before 1977 may contain asbestos (and if so removing it requires a much more tedious and careful procedure). This ceiling may or may not have been put on before 1977.

How can I tell if there's asbestos in the popcorn?
Can I apply a flame to a chip and see if it burns, fuses, or what?
Does anyone know a lab I can send it to?
Can I put it under a microscope and tell?

Alex

I have a few sites saved back for just this type of question:

http://www.asbestos.org/
Has a mail in testing service and lots of info.

http://www.homestoreproducts.com/
Has home testing kits

Good luck, I hope its not asbestos.

Thanks much. Helpful links.
Hey, I'm new here, and although I bookmarked THIS thread, I don't know how to search and find the OTHER question I put up here yesterday ... something about how to paint over old dark 60's paneling.

I'm sure it's obvious, but can you tell me how to find my old notices and see if anyone's responded if I didn't bookmark them.

Your welcome.
At the top of this forum (not the page) you will see: "DoItYourself.com Community Forums > Painting > asbestos in popcorn ceiling" Click on "Painting" to veiw all new posts. Click "DoItYourself.com Community Forums" to veiw all the forums. You can bookmark the page with all the forums listed for easy access.