NYC: Does this look like typical asbestos cement in pipes?

username2233

I live in an old NYC apartment and I just noticed this crumbly white stuff on the base of my radiator pipe (and I once stored my mop near the area). Does this look like it could be asbestos? The floor was recently updated so I’d hope they’d test this, maybe they did and their attempt to abate it was by adding a new white cover on it. But I see some gray stuff underneath, which worries me. 

I don’t really have the money currently to test so I’d greatly appreciate any insight. Thank you!

Intplm.

It does not look like asbestos.
That being said. It does look like many layers of paint.
I would hazard a guess that there is lead paint on one of those layers?
If the last coat of paint was applied more recently, ( not lead type paint ) then there should be little to no concern.
If it is entirely lead paint the good news is if left alone , not disturbed, it's fine.
The paint doesn't appear to be chipping away and you are not going to ingest the paint chips.
Also. It doesn't appear to be what's called friable.
If it were my apartment I would not worry too much about it.

username2233

@""Intplm." Thank you so much for your reply. If I can ask one thing, would you say that the grey stuff closer to the base likely isn’t asbestos then? I know you can’t say for 100% sure I’ll take a guess!

PeteA

the bottom line is that like @Intplm. said if it was in my home I wouldn't worry about it. It does not look like what your concerned about is easily accessible so that may never be disturbed by anyone or anything. Asbestos is fine when its left alone and in places where it will not be disturbed.

username2233

@PeteA thank you. I did use to store my mop and broom in the area so that’s why I’m concerned. I’m also a smoker (ironic huh) so I feel like I should take more precautions than the average person

PeteA

@username2233 it's OK to be cautious and ask questions, that's how we all learn stuff. It is always better safe than sorry.

mattmia2

What are you looking at? the pipe looks to hav about 15 coats of paint on it. it could possibly have some asbestos residue from asbestos that was removed under all the paint but that wouldn't pose much of a hazard. I can't see what is happening below the floor below that escutcheon, it could be grout or mortar or leveling compound from the flooring or could be aircell insulation that is below the floor.

username2233

@mattmia2 thank you for commenting! I circled the suspicious part in purple here. It’s a lot more gray than the top white part which is why I was suspecting asbestos. It’s pretty crumbled   

mattmia2

you'd have to lift up the escutcheon and take a picture with better light and even then we'd probably be just guessing unless we could clearly see it was just something from the flooring(which also sometimes contained asbestos in various layers in the past)

pecmsg

This is an apartment in NYC call the landlord. 

ChrisJ

pecmsg said:

This is an apartment in NYC call the landlord. 

You'd blindly trust what a landlord tells you?

pecmsg

ChrisJ said:

This is an apartment in NYC call the landlord. 

You'd blindly trust what a landlord tells you?

No but they do have to deal with the complaint. 

username2233

pecmsg said:

ChrisJ said:

This is an apartment in NYC call the landlord. 

You'd blindly trust what a landlord tells you?

No but they do have to deal with the complaint. 

They don’t respond to me lol

mattmia2

Is there an effective prohibition against them addressing it by not renewing the lease and renting to one of the other 100 people desperate for an apartment?

SlamDunk

You can encapsulate that with plaster, flex seal or caulk.

PRR

username2233 said:

...I’m also a smoker...

I absolutely can't judge you. But I assure you that tobacco smoking will make more medical trouble than a bit of asbestos in the corner. It's not just lung trouble; tars settle in your bladder "plumbing" and, trust me, that's a nasty place to get sick.

Intplm.

@username2233
Set your mind at ease. Its fine as pictured.