I read online that I could tell if popcorn ceiling was made with asbestos by soaking a sample of it in hot water. If, once the texture material is washed off, the material is white or brown then it is styrofoam or plastic and it is safe. if the remaining material is a light grey color and disintegrates when rubbed between fingers then it is likely asbestos. Is this true? I do know that I can also send it in to a lab for testing.

Styrofoam would be the little foam spongy balls. If you keep the ceiling wet and scrape it directly into a plastic bag, you can do the job yourself. Make sure to wear an approved respirator, not the cheap white dust mask.