Its unlikely that it had asbestos in 1982, even though it could be possible. The only way you will know for sure is to have it tested. You can also have the air tested in your house. Use a hepa vacuum and vacuum really well, and damp mop and damp clean everything in the house if this is really bothering you. Do not sweep, nor use a regular type vac. If you really are worried, you can hire a professional, to come in with their type of hepa vac and do a thorough cleaning.

Assuming your house is cleaned up, ceilings painted, etc., what are you going to do if a remnant from a dumpster tests positive for asbestos? Your doctor does not have a "I was exposed to asbestos mesothelioma prevention" pill. Put it behind you. What's done is done.

That was part of my question - is there anything I can or should do? Part of it is just the peace of mind of knowing (knowing either way honestly...I'm the type of person that doesn't want to just not know). I really don't know anything about this, so now that the ceiling is gone and cleaned out I don't even know if there's any danger remaining. But if I'm going to live here long-term and there's asbestos in the air, that would be something I want to know about.

Look for an air testing company nearby — specifically industrial hygienists — they’ll be able to test your air, perhaps do some wipe samples, and tell you what the condition is now. Put “asbestos testing [Your City, State]” in the search bar. One of the several in my town of 250,000 advises on their website: “…provides on-site investigations, audits, management plans, and employee training programs for industry, as well as indoor air quality investigations, lead risk assessments, industrial hygiene studies, and asbestos inspections for Industrial, Commercial, Medical, Residential, and Public Institution”.

Any rough idea of how much that will cost me?

"How much should I worry about this?"

Little. It may be a little asbestos; it's not strontium-90.

Speak within your expertise. His home is not a nuclear reactor; strontium-90 is a petty big stretch as a comparison hazard. We don’t know prior exposure, smoking or lung disease status, asbestos content, amount of dust generated, ventilation characteristics, etc. an inspection will likely cost <$1000, while saving the homeowner worry and liability.

It’s gone now so i wouldn’t worry about. nothing you can do other than wipe down surfaces…

If you know it was asbestos and you removed it incorrectly you may be liable to the workers and to an eventual buyer. Do you know that wiping down surfaces is effective? You don’t. That’s the way a state or federal regulator would look at it were they called in to evaluate the situation. Your home insurance won’t be too thrilled either.

But I didn't know, and still don't know...confused, I made this post looking for advice exactly for that reason...

Thanks Stax - I may not have explicitly responded to this chain with my plan, but I was actually able to get a small sample of the popcorn ceiling itself and am working on having it tested for asbestos. If it comes back negative I'm all good. If it comes back positive I'll have to see what my options are from there. Hoping the odds are with me since the house was built in 1982 after asbestos was banned - and I actually suspect that it was applied even later than that actually to cover up some defects in the ceiling (but could be wrong).

Sorry, MIke, that last comment was in response to the person telling you there was nothing to worry about and to wipe it down and forget it. Your plan to get the ceiling material tested is correct, and your actions thus far are well thought out. Hopefully it is negative and all this was a parlor exercise!

Congratulations. Peace of mind is a wonderful thing.