Yes, sometimes. Textured ceiling paint — also known as popcorn ceiling — can contain asbestos. Asbestos was used in the construction of homes built between the early 20th century through the 1990s.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned asbestos use in textured ceiling paint in 1978, but manufacturers were allowed to deplete any existing inventory.
Not all popcorn ceilings contain asbestos. The best way to find out whether your home’s ceilings were built with asbestos is to have a sample tested by a professional.