Hazardous Materials Clearance and Reporting

CORE Environmental Consultants provides third-party hazardous materials clearance and reporting services following the abatement or remediation of asbestos, lead-based paint, mold, and other regulated building materials. Our clearance protocols ensure your site is safe for re-occupancy, legally compliant, and fully documented—supporting final payment, regulatory filing, and occupancy approvals.

CORE acts as an independent verifier, separate from the abatement contractor, to provide objective visual inspections, air or dust sampling, and defensible reporting in accordance with local, state, and federal standards.

When Is Clearance Required?

Clearance is the final step in most hazardous material abatement or remediation activities and is often legally required before:

• Re-occupying a space after asbestos, lead, or mold removal
• Submitting ACP-5 or ACP-7 filings for NYCDEP
• Receiving approval from code enforcement, project managers, or oversight engineers
• Closing out abatement contracts or insurance claims
• Completing regulatory filings or final reports

Whether your project involves a single apartment or a multi-phase institutional renovation, CORE ensures that no residual hazards remain and that documentation is filed correctly.

Clearance Services We Provide

We offer comprehensive clearance services for:

• Asbestos abatement (visual and air sampling)
• Lead-based paint remediation (visual and dust wipe sampling)
• Mold remediation (visual inspection, optional air or surface sampling)
• Hazardous material removal (mercury, PCB light ballasts, refrigerants, etc.)

Each clearance is conducted according to the relevant regulations and adapted to the unique conditions of your project.

Our Process

1. Pre-Clearance Review

We begin by reviewing the abatement scope of work, remediation reports, or contractor logs. This helps us:

• Understand the location, extent, and type of materials removed
• Identify the applicable regulatory clearance standards
• Plan for the necessary sampling or documentation steps
• Coordinate timing to avoid delays in re-occupancy or filing

2. Visual Clearance Inspection

A licensed inspector visits the site to confirm:

• All visible ACM, LBP, mold, or other hazards have been properly removed
• No residual dust, debris, or damage remains
• Containment systems have been removed or properly sealed
• Work areas are safe for re-occupancy or re-use

This step is required prior to collecting any final samples.

3. Environmental Sampling

Based on material type and project scope, we perform:

Asbestos Air Sampling

• Conducted per NYSDOL Industrial Code Rule 56
• Samples collected inside containment and analyzed via PCM or TEM
• Ensures fiber levels are below regulatory thresholds prior to re-occupancy

Lead Dust Wipe Sampling

• Collected from horizontal surfaces such as floors and window sills
• Analyzed by an AIHA-accredited lab
• Compared against HUD and EPA clearance thresholds

Mold Clearance Testing (if needed)

• Includes spore trap air sampling or surface tape/swab sampling
• Conducted based on pre-remediation conditions and client preferences

Sampling is only conducted when visual conditions pass. All samples are documented under strict chain-of-custody procedures and submitted to accredited laboratories.

4. Final Clearance Report

After inspection and laboratory results are received, CORE prepares a complete clearance report containing:

• Project summary and material-specific notes
• Annotated floor plans and photos of work areas
• Lab results and analysis methods
• Chain-of-custody and sample IDs
• Regulatory references and clearance criteria
• Signed clearance declaration or certification
• Filing-ready documentation (e.g., ACP-5 form or summary letter)

Our reports are accepted by permitting authorities, environmental engineers, general contractors, and property managers.

Why CORE?

✅ Certified Inspectors & Risk Assessors
All clearance services are performed by licensed asbestos professionals, EPA-certified lead risk assessors, and NYS-certified mold assessors.

✅ Neutral Third-Party Oversight
We provide unbiased documentation that is fully independent from the abatement contractor—critical for defensibility.

✅ Built for Compliance
Our reports are structured to meet DOB, DEP, EPA, HUD, and OSHA standards—avoiding rejections, change orders, or delays.

✅ Responsive Scheduling
We work around your contractor’s finish dates and respond quickly for fast clearance and turnover.

✅ Turnkey Hazardous Materials Support
If needed, CORE can support abatement design, air monitoring, and ACP filings—ensuring continuity from start to finish.