Building Environmental Sciences

Some buildings stand, others stand the test of time

By blending environmental science, program management and engineering expertise to improve building systems performance, Terracon helps make your occupants safer and your investments perform like a dream.

Mitigating the hidden legacies of aging buildings

Hazardous and regulated building materials can pose risks to occupant health, building performance, and project schedules if not properly understood and managed. Our Building Environmental Science (BES) professionals protect the long‑term health of both your facilities and the people who use them. We provide proactive planning for hazardous or regulated materials as they age, deteriorate, or are disturbed. Renovation, demolition, or changes to building use frequently trigger regulatory requirements. We are here to help clients navigate this complex landscape.

Asbestos and lead abatement trusted by clients and our peers

Engineering News‑Record consistently names us as one of the top‑ranked asbestos and lead abatement consulting firms in the country. We’ve built our reputation through thousands of successful projects. Our deep technical expertise and practical experience allows us to build tailored solutions to the varied challenges posed by every project. Odds are we’ve seen it before, and if not, we’ll lead the way to finding the right answer.

We partner with building owners, architects, contractors, and facility managers to perform asbestos and hazardous materials surveys, abatement designs and specifications, construction‑phase support, and air monitoring. We also perform lead‑based paint inspections and risk assessments in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and applicable state regulations.

Local knowledge backed by national resources is the best of both worlds. Our team includes more than 350 EPA Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)-accredited professionals located across the country. Terracon combines local knowledge with the depth of a national practice.

One partner, from start to finish

We are a single‑source provider for BES consulting services from initial investigation through project closeout, and our expertise extends to other hazardous materials. We provide radon testing and mitigation support, mold and moisture investigations, indoor environmental quality assessments, and evaluation of building conditions that may affect occupant comfort and health.

Water systems can also pose building environmental risks. Our BES team supports clients with Legionella and building water system evaluations, including potable water sampling, system assessments, and water management program support — services that are especially critical in healthcare, senior living, and other high‑risk environments.

Our integrated BES services allow us to address environmental risks holistically, supporting safer buildings, regulatory compliance, and informed decision‑making across the full life cycle of a facility.

Let’s work together to protect people and facilities, now and into the future.