Independent Environmental Consulting

Mold

Mold assessment for violations, leaks and clearance

Independent inspection and sampling to find the moisture source, measure the extent of growth, and write a remediation plan your contractor can follow. We return afterward to confirm the job is done.

NYS Labor Law Art. 32NYC Local Law 55 of 2018NYC Local Law 61 of 2018NYC DOHMH guidelines
28% AIR-02 · SPORE TRAP15 L/min × 5 minvs. outdoor control MOISTURE CONTENTdrywall, 6 in. above floor
Air samples are always compared against an outdoor control.

What we do

Find it, measure it, plan it, verify it

  • HPD and DOHMH violation responseAssessments and documentation for indoor allergen and mold violations in NYC residential buildings.
  • Water damage and leak investigationsMoisture readings and visual inspection to trace the source and define the affected area.
  • Air and surface samplingSpore trap air samples with outdoor controls, plus tape or swab surface samples, analyzed at AIHA-EMLAP accredited labs.
  • Remediation plansWritten scope with work areas, quantities, containment and the clearance criteria the contractor must meet.
  • Post-remediation assessmentsClearance inspection after the remediation contractor finishes. Air or surface sampling may be added when conditions warrant it.

Requirements

When the law requires a licensed assessor

New York State
Mold assessment, remediation and abatement of more than 10 sq ft must be done by contractors licensed under NYS Labor Law Article 32.
Independence
A licensed assessor may not perform remediation on the same project. Assessment and removal must be done by different companies.
NYC Local Law 55
Owners of buildings with 3 or more units must inspect for and fix indoor allergen hazards, including mold, using safe work practices.
NYC Local Law 61
In buildings with 10 or more units, mold work covering 10 sq ft or more must be assessed and remediated by NYS-licensed contractors.

The 10 square foot line

Visible mold area in the work area
Under 10 sq ftNo NYS mold license required. Clean up with NYC DOHMH guidance.
10 sq ft or moreNYS-licensed assessor writes the plan. A separate licensed remediator does the work.
Threshold from NYS Labor Law Article 32. Local Law 61 applies the licensing rule in NYC buildings with 10 or more units.

From assessment to clearance

1 · Mold assessmentInspection, moisture mapping, air and surface samples
↓
2 · Remediation planAreas, quantities, containment, clearance criteria
↓
3 · RemediationPerformed by a NYS-licensed remediation contractor
↓
4 · Post-remediation assessmentVisual inspection to confirm the work met the plan, with sampling when conditions call for it

FAQ

Common questions

Do I always need air sampling?

Not always. Visible growth with a known water source can often be scoped without air samples. Sampling helps when growth is hidden, when occupants report symptoms, or when you need documented clearance.

What is an outdoor control sample?

An air sample taken outside at the same time. Indoor spore counts and types are compared against it to judge whether there is an indoor source.

What do I get at the end?

A written assessment with photos, moisture readings, any sampling results, a remediation plan, and after the work, a post-remediation assessment.

Next step

Have a mold violation or a leak?

Tell us the address, the affected area and any violation number. We will schedule the assessment.