Since that time, our team has been very deliberate in how we approach both Association projects throughout the building and unit owner remodeling, applying industry standards to determine if a situation does or does not present risks – like a major plumbing project or hanging a picture or a small shelf.
If drywall is being disturbed at Park Tower in any location (common areas and units), testing is now mandatory and abatement is done if the results warrant it. This includes larger efforts such as the riser projects and day to day events like kitchen or bathroom leaks, and home owner construction and improvements. To date, roughly 90% of locations we’ve tested were found to have ‘chrysotile’ asbestos in the drywall compound, the plaster material used to seal seams, corners, and nail heads between drywall sheets., The amount of ‘chrysotile’ asbestos has been on the low end of the reporting scale (1-5%), and therefore abatement has been required accordingly.
And we’ve been doing our homework, learning what we can, and very soon as approved by the Board we will be working on a formal manual for addressing the presence of asbestos. It is important to know that we are not the only building facing this. We are told this type of drywall compound was available into the early 90s, apparently. So, it is likely surprisingly very common. Fortunately, as alluded to, the testing indicates that the asbestos present here is on the very low end of the reporting scale. Results are consistently measuring between 1% and 5%. Understanding what this means, when it poses a risk, and how to safely handle home projects is essential for maintaining both physical health and peace of mind.
Historically, chrysotile asbestos was intentionally added to joint compounds to control shrinkage, prevent cracking, and improve temperature stability during the construction of high-rise buildings. Under present federal regulations, any material containing more than 1% asbestos is legally classified as an Asbestos-Containing Material, or ‘ACM’. While a 1% to 5% concentration is low, it is not zero. However, the risk associated with asbestos is entirely dependent on its physical state:
Non-Friable (Safe): When asbestos fibers are securely bound inside a solid matrix—like intact, painted joint compound—they cannot escape into the air. In this undisturbed state, they pose a low risk to residents.
Friable (Hazardous): If the joint compound is crushed, aggressively sanded, drilled, or demolished, it becomes friable. This means it can easily crumble into a fine dust, releasing microscopic chrysotile fibers into the air where they can be inhaled.
Because the asbestos is locked safely behind coats of paint and solid compound, it only becomes a variable during construction or remodeling.
For any construction, renovation, or remodeling projects that involve disrupting the drywall, building management prior approval is already mandatory, with or without the presence of asbestos.
So, contact management for more information and guidance before considering any improvements, at parktowercondo-mgmt@habitat.com.
It does make it a bit more of a critical step now that we are aware asbestos may be present, so we can help protect the community. Because high-rise buildings utilize shared ventilation systems, vertical pipe chases, and common structural columns, a mistake in one unit can impact neighboring spaces. So Association oversight ensures that proper protocols protect the entire community. With that in mind, the Board approved a resolution earlier this year, requiring testing and abatement wherever may be necessary.
So, when planning a remodeling project, the process must follow a structured safety sequence:
1.Submit a Remodeling Request: Request a Construction & Remodeling packet from our team (parktowercondo-mgmt@habitat.com) and follow the guidelines to present a formal scope of work to building management, outlining exactly which walls, ceilings, or fixtures will be altered or disturbed.
It is important to emphasize that minor, daily activities do not pose a risk and do not require testing or management intervention.
Hanging a framed photo, putting up a small decorative shelf, or driving a small picture hook into the wall creates an incredibly minute, localized displacement of material. The amount of dust generated by a single nail or screw is negligible, and any microscopic fibers remain bound within the tiny fragments of displaced compound rather than becoming a suspended airborne hazard.
To help navigate future home improvements, residents can use the following criteria to determine whether a project requires formal testing and approval:
| Project Type | Safe to Do Freely (No Testing) | Requires Testing & Management Approval |
| Hanging Decor | Driving nails, picture hooks, or small drywall anchors for artwork and mirrors. | Mounting large, heavy architectural elements or floating built-ins that require cutting open structural wall cavities. |
| Surface Work | Painting, applying wallpaper, or scraping minor surface blemishes. | Power-sanding large swathes of textured walls or skim-coating extensive areas of old compound. |
| Minor Repairs | Patching a small ding or small hole (less than a few inches) with standard, modern retail spackle. | Cutting out large sections of drywall to repair internal plumbing, electrical lines, or common building risers. |
| Demolition | None. | Removing an entire wall, expanding a doorway, or tearing down a partition to open up a floor plan. |
By adhering to these simple boundaries, residents can comfortably personalize their living spaces while ensuring that larger structural modifications are handled with the professional oversight necessary to keep the entire PT community safe.
At the same time, be assured our entire team will follow the needed processes with Association projects and day to day activities when the situation calls for it.
For example, during the Riser Projects, as part of our pre-construction inspections we are taking wall samples to be tested and incorporating abatement when results require it. Also, if a leak is reported and a wall needs to be opened, our team is contacting a specialist to handle the work – we won’t wait for testing in an emergency situation, we will just assume asbestos is present and include abatement as a part of our response.
This is a complicated issue, but really the necessary actions are simple – TESTING, and ABATEMENT where necessary.
Don’t hesitate to share any questions or concerns with our team, at parktowercondo-mgmt@habitat.com.
