On-Site Services
Asbestos
UNYSE offers a complete range of asbestos testing services as an independent consultant to property owners and facility managers, including asbestos inspections, surveys, variances, specifications, air sampling, monitoring and clearance examinations.
Asbestos Inspections and Surveys
Suspect building materials sampling and laboratory analysis is necessary to rebut the presumption that asbestos is present in building materials used before 1980. UNYSE conducts asbestos testing for home improvement projects, property renovations, demolitions and on-going building operations, including surveys for construction permits and to comply with NYSDOL, OSHA and USEPA requirements. UNYSE offers initial and tri-annual Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) asbestos inspections and management plans, New York State and US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) pre-demolition and pre-renovation asbestos containing materials surveys.
Abatement Project Design
Asbestos abatement is required prior to any demolition renovation or building maintenance activity that would disturb asbestos containing materials (ACM). UNYSE provides NYS DOL asbestos variance application services and works with building owners and agency representatives to design abatement projects and prepare specifications to meet the needs of each project. UNYSE Environmental Consultants offers project design, both for standalone asbestos abatement projects or to supplement a renovation or demolition that involves asbestos abatement.
Air Sampling
State and Federal regulations require independent air sampling and monitoring before, during and after most asbestos abatement projects. UNYSE performs this “third party” service on behalf of the owner or facility managers to collect air samples inside and around the asbestos containment and provide analysis reporting to the jobsite. Special consideration is given to “round-the-clock” and emergency testing.
Project Monitoring
Certified UNYSE staff will serve as the on-site representative of the facility owner or property manager during an asbestos abatement project. Project monitors interpret project specifications or abatement plans and monitor contractor or employee compliance with applicable rules, regulations and specifications; a role that is often mandated under NYSDOL regulations. UNYSE project monitors work with the abatement contractor and other site staff to make sure the project runs smoothly and to ensure successful completion of abatement and clearance inspections.
Site Clearance Inspections
A clearance inspection is a thorough examination of asbestos abatement work area after licensed asbestos removal work has been completed to evaluate the work area for completeness of abatement and completeness of cleanup prior to final air testing for clearance (if performed), and subsequent to dismantling of critical barriers. UNYSE staff conducts visual inspections utilizing the current ASTM Standard E1368 “Standard Practice for Visual Inspection of Asbestos Abatement Projects”, provides an entry into the asbestos abatement contractor supervisor’s daily log detailing the findings of the visual inspection and provides a certificate of visual inspection to our client in our final report.
Asbestos Management Plans
USEPA AHERA and NYS Education Department regulations require K-12 public and private schools maintain an asbestos management plan if any asbestos containing building materials (ACBM) remains in place. The management plan must be updated whenever any asbestos related activity takes place and at least every three years. UNYSE Management Planners assesses the hazard posed by the presence of asbestos or asbestos containing material and/or make recommendations regarding appropriate response actions and a schedule for such response actions.
Lead
UNYSE offers residential lead-based paint inspections, risk assessments, clearance examinations, potable water and other sampling activities designed to determine a presence of lead in air, soil, paint, water or waste. UNYSE also conducts lead in paint inspection for OSHA compliance in commercial and prior to renovations.
XRF Lead Inspections
Lead Inspections are conducted using state of the art X-ray fluorescence (XRF) testing technology. Experienced UNYSE staff utilizes XRF in conjunction with hand-held computers to properly record the location, presence and condition of lead-based paint. Lead inspection reports are produced consistent with USEPA requirements; including identification of all lead painted surfaces and records of all testing results.
Lead in Potable Water Testing
UNYSE offers lead in potable water sampling and analysis to homes, schools, BOCES, hospitals and other multi-source facilities. Samples are collected and analyzed per NYS Department of Health Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP) method and a report prepared to meet regulatory requirements.
Lead Risk Assessments
Lead Risk Assessments are designed to identify lead hazards in dust, soil and/or deteriorated paint. UNYSE staff has conducted hundreds of risk assessments for private property owners, housing organizations and community development agencies. A typical risk assessment involves an evaluation of property conditions, collection of wipe and soil samples and XRF testing of deteriorated paint. The lead risk assessment report provides a summary of lead hazards and recommendations on controlling these hazards.
Lead Hazard Control Project Design
UNYSE works with property owners, government officials, community based organizations, and housing agencies to design hazard control or abatement, as determined appropriate according to applicable regulations. UNYSE will identify the specific practices necessary to comply with Federal and State standards, including USHUD subsidized housing, USEPA abatement and/or OSHA compliance standards. Staff will assist in preparation of project specifications, bidding and contractor selection.
Lead Hazard Control Project Monitoring
UNYSE environmental consultants will work with property owners, government officials, community based organization and housing agencies to provide compliance monitoring during hazard control to ensure compliance with work practice standards. UNYSE staff has extensive hands-on experience in home improvement, rehabilitation and renovation. UNYSE project management entails pre-project coordination between property owner and contractor, on-site oversight of hazard control practices, clearance inspections and final reporting.
Lead Clearance Examinations
UNYSE provides clearance examination and sampling services at the conclusion of hazard control, renovation, maintenance and abatement. Our experienced staff will complete a thorough visual examination of the work area to ensure that clearance sample analysis results in a satisfactory conclusion to the project.
Mold
UNYSE provides a comprehensive evaluation of residential, commercial and institutional properties for the presence and location of molds and water damage. Our certified staff will perform moisture testing and collect swab and air samples to determine if mold present presents an environmental health hazard to building occupants. Our final report will present detail on the extent of mold hazards and offer recommendations to address the identified presence of mold hazards.
In New York, every mold cleanup project performed by professionals must follow these steps: assessment, remediation (clean up) and clearance. Mold assessments and remediation cannot be conducted by the same firm.
Mold Assessments
UNYSE will conduct assessments for the presence and concentration of mold per NYS Mold Program requirements. A mold assessment is conducted to determine the specifics for remediation, including locations and quantities of materials for treatment and may establish background concentrations of airborne spores. Mold assessment reports and remediation plan are provided to our clients for distribution to certified mold remediation contractors.
Mold Remediation Plans
UNYSE staff prepare mold remediation plans that a mold remediation contractor must use for abatement or remediation. A Mold Remediation Plan will identify the source of the moisture causing mold growth, how to remedy the moisture issue, the mold remediation methods to be used for cleanup, and the criteria that must be met to consider the cleanup complete.
Post-Remediation Assessments
A post mitigation assessment “clearance” is conducted to determine the quality of remediation and to confirm that the remediation was successful. UNYSE mold assessors will complete a thorough post remediation inspection and develop a written passed clearance report or final status report.
Mold Remediation Project Monitoring
UNYSE will work with property owners, government officials, community-based organization and housing agencies to provide compliance monitoring during hazard control to ensure compliance with work practice standards. UNYSE project management entails pre-project coordination between property owner and contractor, on-site oversight of hazard control practices, post remediation assessments and final reporting.
Mold Sampling & Analysis
UNYSE can conduct air and bulk sampling to confirm the presence and type of mold as well as compare the levels and types of mold spores found inside the building with those found outside of the building or for comparison with another location in the building. UNYSE uses multiple mold sampling techniques, including swab, spore trap and plate collection, to determine if contamination is present during initial and post-remediation assessments.
Hazardous Materials
UNYSE has experienced environmental health and safety professionals trained and prepared to provide Hazardous Materials Services including inspections, reports, and compliance with regards to State and Federal regulations. Our services will be performed in accordance with Right-To-Know Act, OSHA Hazard Communication Rules, EPA SARA Title III, and any other applicable state and federal regulations.
Environmental Sampling
UNYSE utilizes sampling and analysis methods recommended by either OSHA, NIOSH, EPA, the American Industrial Hygiene Association, or other recognized professional guidelines. Types of samples can include: air samples, surface samples, bulk samples, among others. UNYSE regularly conducts PCBs, radon, soil and metals contamination sampling during building assessments, renovations and demolitions.
Air/Hazard Monitoring
OSHA has established employee exposure limits for chemical substances and physical agents that may be potential hazards. UNYSE conducts qualitative and quantitative monitoring for chemical substances and physical agents according to established agency or guidelines or requirements.
Indoor Air Quality Sampling
Indoor air quality testing involves collecting and containing samples of ambient air from inside a building and analyzing them to determine what chemicals may be affecting human health and safety. Air sample testing for specific chemical compounds is an investigative tool used to characterize the nature and extent of contaminants in air and to determine whether contaminant sources affect indoor air quality. UNYSE will design and complete IAQ sampling to reflect a clients need in specific circumstances.
Health & Safety Plans (HASP)
UNYSE can prepare HASP to meet requirements of OSHA’s Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Standard. OSHA requires a site-specific safety and health plan for clean-up operations conducted under HAZWOPER.
