Textured coatings were used to produce decorative finishes on ceilings and walls. In the past, they have had various trade names such as 'Artex’.
This is dependent on the particular decorative finish required i.e. peaks or patterns. They are hard and were originally white in colour but have often been painted over.
The asbestos fibres are held in place within the structure and are not easily given off and breathed in, however they are easily released if the coatings are sanded down - never do this.
Take care - sometimes textured coatings are applied on top of other types of asbestos such as asbestos insulating board.
You do not need a licence to work on these materials, however work with any type of asbestos is dangerous which is why we have produced a number of task guidance sheets.