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Sponsor/Board Negligence and Asbestos?Feb 27, 2012

In our 220 unit co-op-converted in 1984 by the sponsor, who still owns 10 apts. and is also the managing agent, asbestos was discovered when he was forced to do repairs by Housing Court for water intrusion into one of his apt. Under the wood floors, which are the sames ones that came with all the units in the building, black mastic glue was found which contains asbestos. The sponsor (is he still that?) told the Board about it, and has hired a licensed asbestos company to remove the mastic, but we don't know what to do about the rest of the apts. Many of us have renovated our floors, removed the wood, sanded and repaired parts of the parquest floors etc. unaware that there was asbestos that was un-friable, but sanding, scraping could have released airborne particles. Are we negligent as a Board for not requireing shareholders to have subfloors tested prior to renovations? Or is the sponsor negligent because he must have known what lay beneath the floors since he renovated many apts as part of the offering plan. Does the co-op now have an obligation to test for and remove any asbestos in the rest of the apts? Help! Thanks.

Join the Conversation Comments (2)
Asbestos in the Mastic Glue - AdC Feb 29, 2012

Unless the parquet floor is removed or it gets loose and detached from the sub-floor due to lack of tack, your asbestos was not exposed. It was isolated by the wood floor. In fact, when you remove the floor, the black mastic is not seen pulverized. In your case and for peace of mind, hire your own asbestos environmental consultant to provide you with a road map as to the best way to handle the the dry mastic if someone decides to change floors or when parquet floors get detached due to water or due to lack of tack.

Finally, go over your conversion plan. There should be an environmental disclosure on the building and the presence of asbestos on floors, insulation, etc.

AdC



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Asbestos in the Mastic Glue - AdC Feb 29, 2012

Unless the parquet floor is removed or it gets loose and detached from the sub-floor due to lack of tack, your asbestos was not exposed. It was isolated by the wood floor. In fact, when you remove the floor, the black mastic is not seen pulverized. In your case and for peace of mind, hire your own asbestos environmental consultant to provide you with a road map as to the best way to handle the the dry mastic if someone decides to change floors or when parquet floors get detached due to water or due to lack of tack.

Finally, go over your conversion plan. There should be an environmental disclosure on the building and the presence of asbestos on floors, insulation, etc.

AdC



Finally, if you read

Finally,

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