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Radon

NYCHA Design Guidelines > Environmental Remediation

Environmental Remediation

Description

  • Asbestos is a natural mineral. Asbestos Containing Material (ACM). “Asbestos” shall mean any hydrated mineral silicate separable into commercially usable fibers, including but not limited to chrysotile (serpentine), amosite (cumingtonite-grunerite), crocidolite (riebeckite), tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite. 
    Two families of asbestos minerals are recognized. Amphiboles represent one family with five members and serpentine (chrysotile) is the other family, amounting to 95 % of all asbestos used worldwide. The amphiboles (amosite, anthophyllite, actinolite, crocidolite, and tremolite) are characterized by being straight and needle-like fibers. The only commercially important varieties have been amosite and crocidolite. The serpentine or white asbestos (chrysotile) looks wavy under the microscope and has made up about 90–95 % of all asbestos used around the world. The number of products made over time containing asbestos has been estimated to be between 3000–5000.
    Asbestos-containing waste material. “Asbestos-containing waste material” shall mean asbestos-containing material or asbestos-contaminated objects requiring disposal.
    Asbestos-contaminated objects. “Asbestos-contaminated objects” shall mean any objects which have been contaminated by asbestos or asbestos-containing material.

Baseline

  • All projects must first be tested for asbestos or presumed positive for asbestos as part of the environmental testing procedure. 
  • Presumed Asbestos Containing Material (PACM). “Presumed Asbestos Containing Material” shall mean all Thermal System Insulation and Surfacing Material as described in 15 RCNY § 1-38. PACM is considered to be ACM unless proven otherwise by appropriate bulk sampling and laboratory analyses.  
  • Asbestos-containing material. “Asbestos-containing material” (ACM) shall mean asbestos or any material containing more than one percent asbestos.
  • If materials are found to contain friable or non- friable asbestos fibers, they must be abated through all applicable regulations (NYCDEP, NYSDOL, USEPA etc.)   

Relevant Codes & Regulations

EPA Asbestos Laws & Regulations
Federal regulatory framework governing asbestos use, handling, and compliance
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 (Construction Asbestos Standard)
Worker protection requirements for asbestos during construction, renovation, and demolition
NYS Department of Labor – Asbestos Control Bureau
State oversight for asbestos abatement, licensing, and enforcement
NIOSH Resources (Asbestos/Exposure Guidance)
Occupational health guidance and exposure prevention resources

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Utilize Healthy Materials & Health-Promoting Building Systems

Utilize Healthy Materials & Health-Promoting Building Systems

RADCommercial BathroomsCommunity CentersCommercial KitchensEntrywaysPlaygrounds

Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 5:31 am

Downloads and Data

Specifications

Asbestos Abatement Work Plan Template (General)

Details

H-DT_Asbestos Abatement Details - Temp. Waterproofing [H-103.00]

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H-DT_Asbestos Abatement Plan Legend & Notes

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H-EL_Asbestos Abatement Bulkhead Elevations

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Description

  • Peeling lead-based paint can present a risk of lead exposure, especially to children under the age of six. NYCHA is taking meaningful steps to comply with the HUD Agreement and ensure the safety of all residents, including evaluating and addressing lead-based paint hazards. In April 2019, NYCHA began X-ray fluorescence (XRF) testing of 134,084 units built before 1978 that had never been previously tested. NYCHA’s website has a dashboard to report the progress of inspections and test results.

Baseline

  • Identify lead hazards and abate according to EPA and HUD guidelines.
  • Conduct lead risk assessment and inspection to identify lead hazards, then abate these per EPA and NYC Department of Health and NYDOH as well as the requisite state/ and city local law and requirements.

Stretch

Relevant Codes & Regulations

EPA Lead RRP Rule (Renovation, Repair and Painting)
Certification, training, and work practices for disturbing lead-based paint
HUD Lead Safe Housing Rule (24 CFR Part 35)
Federal requirements for lead hazard evaluation and control in HUD-associated housing
CDC Lead Poisoning Prevention
Health-based guidance informing lead hazard management and occupant protection
OSHA Lead Standards
Worker exposure and protection standards when lead hazards are present

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Utilize Healthy Materials & Health-Promoting Building Systems

Utilize Healthy Materials & Health-Promoting Building Systems

RADSustainability AgendaCommercial BathroomsCommunity CentersCommercial KitchensEntrywaysPlaygrounds

Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 5:33 am

Downloads and Data

Specifications

CPD Standard Notice Design 2019001 – Lead Based Paint Construction Practices

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PACT Lead Procedures Memo

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Lead Safe Work Practice Plan Template - Interior Common Space Project

Lead Safe Work Practice Plan Template - Exterior Project

Description

  • Mold and excessive moisture control are key priorities for maintaining the health and wellbeing of residents and ensuring the longevity of the building. Elimination of mold and indoor air pollutants is critical for resident health and covers several applications utilizing both passive and active ventilation and requiring thoughtful and science-based approaches to reduce moisture build-up on surfaces in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas subject to moisture. 
  • Reduction of mold growth for exterior walls is achieved through the elimination of moisture transfer from the façade and openings into the interior of the building.  Waterproofing, managing water through drainage, and integrating vapor and water barriers are the primary means of eliminating water transfer into the building envelope and building wall and roof assemblies.  Implementation of these techniques is required to eliminate mold and improve indoor air quality for residents.  

Baseline

  • Use materials that have durable, cleanable surfaces throughout bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. Materials installed in these rooms should not be prone to deterioration due to moisture intrusion nor should they encourage the growth of mold.
  • Walls and ceilings in apartment kitchens and bathrooms shall use mold-blocking primer. [COMPMOD]
  • Implement an informational campaign for residents on mold awareness; mitigating actions like leaving bathroom windows open, not utilizing ventilation fans, and leaving water running will help in the reduction of mold growth.  [SA]

Stretch

  • Upgrade mechanical and ventilation systems for mold prevention. [SA]
  • Perform gut rehabs to address mold and lead comprehensively. [SA] 
  • Implement a standard procedure for leaks to reduce mold growth by preventing and reducing leaks, excessive moisture, and associated water damage. Refer to developments in the first pilot program (Brevoort, Low Houses, Roosevelt I/II). [SA] 
  • Stop and prevent building plumbing systems leakage to improve water management and reduce instances of mold. Technologies such as cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) can be used to rehabilitate existing pipes to reduce holes, breaks, and joint failures. [SA]
  • Identify and remedy laundry facility “deserts” which lead residents to purchase their own in-unit washer and dryer appliances, which, when not properly installed, can result in burdens to the sanitary and energy infrastructure, cause leaks and mold growth. [SA]

Relevant Codes & Regulations

CDC Mold Guidance
Prevention guidance emphasizing moisture control and ventilation
EPA Mold Cleanup Guidance
Cleanup protocols and safety considerations for mold-impacted materials
NIOSH Mold Testing & Remediation
Occupational guidance for containment, drying, removal, and prevention of recurrence
OSHA Indoor Air Quality Resources
Worker safety considerations for indoor environmental quality and damp/mold conditions

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Utilize Healthy Materials & Health-Promoting Building Systems

Utilize Healthy Materials & Health-Promoting Building Systems

Prioritize Sustainable Materials, Technologies & Practices

Prioritize Sustainable Materials, Technologies & Practices

Sustainability AgendaCommercial BathroomsCommunity CentersCommercial KitchensEntryways

Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 5:35 am

Downloads and Data

Specifications

PACT Mold Procedures_revised Nov 2022

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Description

  • Radon is a colorless, odorless, and inert radioactive substance found in soil, rocks, and groundwater. Radon becomes part of the air and can accumulate in buildings. There is no known safe level of radon. The EPA established 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) as the “action level” for radon, although radon levels below 4 pCi/L can still pose health risks. The potential health risks posed to residents of HUD-assisted housing have drawn congressional interest. Title 24 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 50 and 58 (24 CFR Part 50 or 24 CFR Part 58) state that “All property proposed for use in HUD programs be free of hazardous materials, contamination, toxic chemicals and gasses, and radioactive substances, where a hazard could affect the health and safety of occupants or conflict with the intended utilization of the property.”  NYCHA is committed to addressing any known radon risks, through the incorporation of radon-resistant features into building rehabilitation or new construction scopes when needed. 

Baseline

Relevant Codes & Regulations

EPA Radon Guidance
Federal guidance on testing, mitigation, and health risk reduction for radon
New York State Department of Health – Radon
State guidance and resources, including testing/mitigation information
WHO Radon & Health
International health guidance informing risk thresholds and mitigation emphasis
American Lung Association – Radon Resources
Health-focused education and mitigation guidance used in radon awareness programs

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Utilize Healthy Materials & Health-Promoting Building Systems

Utilize Healthy Materials & Health-Promoting Building Systems

RAD

Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 5:38 am

Downloads and Data

Specifications

PACT Radon Procedure Memo

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