Asbestos/lead report after June 2023 basement flood (Condition Record)

ON OCTOBER 15, Mishkon received a copy of the report from a Limited Asbestos and Lead Assessment Survey that was conducted on June 23, 2023. (If we had received this report previously, it got waylaid due to our staff turnover shortly thereafter.) The testing was done by TRUST Environmental Solutions in Camarillo, as engaged by Tri-Tech Restoration, which cleaned up the basement flood.

This post discusses the report. Apparently for the first time, the kitchen flooring was sampled. Overall, the results were unsurprising.

Results summary

The results summary on pp. 2–3 of the report is somewhat misleading. Yes, as we already knew, in the Social Hall, the original (bottom) layer of floor tile contains asbestos. (Which is why we do our best not to disturb it. Or if it is to be disturbed, that work must be handled by a licensed abatement contractor.)

However, the summary also states incorrectly that “Lead Based Paint was detected within the Kitchen Walls, Countertops, and Men’s Restroom Walls.” Rather, lead was detected in the ceramic tile in those locations, not in paint.

Areas tested for asbestos

The areas tested were chosen due solely to what the floodwaters had gotten wet. A total of 25 samples were analyzed.

1.  Main hallway, lower portion of wall between hallway and kitchen: skim coat and plaster.

2.  Small room (“office”) next to men’s room, lower portion of wall and doorway between office and small corridor: drywall, joint compound, etc.

3.  Larger kitchen, flooring: two layers of tile and their respective mastics. (The original layer is described as “tan.”)

4.  Social hall, flooring: two layers of tile and their respective mastics. (In two sections: What their map called “south containment” and “east containment” I would have called “west” and “south,” respectively.)

Results

• Tests of the brown floor tile (in the Social Hall) showed 3% chrysotile.

• Tests of the tan floor tile (in the kitchen) showed 2% chrysotile.

• Asbestos was not detected in the other samples.

These results are consistent with previous testing. To my knowledge, the kitchen flooring had not previously been tested. Yet given that its original layer was installed at the same time as the asbestos-laden flooring in the rest of the sanctuary building, it was not surprising to be told that it likewise contains asbestos.