{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-10-712","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 10-712","heading":"Assessments of public buildings for environmental risks.","body":"(a)\nDGS shall assess each public building every 10 years, at a minimum, for the following to identify environmental risks:\n(1)\nIndoor air quality;\n(2)\nOutdoor air quality;\n(3)\nVentilation and temperature control;\n(4)\nMold or mildew;\n(5)\nPests;\n(6)\nThe use of any pesticides that are not minimum risk pesticides or organic pesticides;\n(7)\nToxic chemicals and hazardous waste;\n(8)\nAsbestos;\n(9)\nLead-based paint;\n(10)\nLead in drinking water;\n(11)\nRadon;\n(12)\nCarbon monoxide;\n(13)\nGroundwater quality;\n(14)\nDust;\n(15)\nGas and diesel emissions;\n(16)\nPolychlorinated biphenyls; and\n(17)\nVolatile organic compounds.\n\n(b)\nFor each assessment listed in subsection (a) of this section, DGS shall establish protocols, in coordination with the Department of Energy and Environment and the Department of Health, by which DGS shall conduct the assessments required by subsection (a) of this section. The protocols shall describe, at a minimum:\n(1)\nThe frequency and methods of assessment;\n(2)\nThe threshold levels at which remediation measures shall be taken; and\n(3)\nThe remediation and public disclosure measures that shall be taken when an assessment reveals levels that exceed a threshold level established pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection.\n\n(b-1)\nIf DGS determines that any of the environmental risks listed in subsection (a) of this section are potential hazards at a publicly owned site that is undergoing or will undergo demolition, construction, or excavation:\n(1)\nDGS shall promptly take any steps necessary to safeguard the public from those potential hazards and as soon as practicable conduct appropriate assessments to determine whether each environmental risk exceeds the threshold level established under subsection (b)(2) of this section and publish the complete results of that testing on the DGS website within 10 business days of receiving the test results; and\n(2)\nIf test results are found to be in excess of a threshold level established under subsection (b)(2) of this section, DGS shall:\n(A)\nEffectively isolate the area where the environmental risk is located to safeguard the public until effective remediation occurs;\n(B)\nWithin 10 business days of receiving the test results, provide any impacted Advisory Neighborhood Commission with and publish on the DGS website a notice of potential environmental risks that includes:\n(i)\nThe potential environmental risks found;\n(ii)\nThe full testing results for each of those environmental risks;\n(iii)\nThe threshold levels at which remediation measures for that risk will be taken; and\n(iv)\nThe planned timeline for remediation.\n(C)\nCoordinate with other relevant agencies to conduct a public meeting to share the assessment results with the affected community within 20 business days; and\n(D)\nRepeat the appropriate testing after remediation measures have been taken until the environmental conditions identified do not exceed established threshold levels.\n\n(c)\nProtocols already in existence for an assessment described in subsection (a) of this section may serve as the protocol for the relevant assessment under subsection (b) of this section if the protocol meets the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.\n\n(d)\nDGS shall make available online:\n(1)\nThe protocols established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, including any updates to the protocols;\n(2)\nBy September 30, 2017, user-friendly information about the assessments described in subsection (a) of this section for each public building, including:\n(A)\nIf an assessment found an exceedance of a threshold established under subsection (b) of this section, a brief explanation of plans for remediation;\n(B)\nWhether DGS is complying with the protocols for each assessment; and\n(C)\nIf DGS is not complying with a protocol for an assessment, a brief explanation of its plans to come into compliance with the protocols.\n\n(d-1)\nDGS shall publish online and submit to the Council an annual report by July 1st of each year that describes, for each publicly owned site that has underwent or is undergoing demolition, excavation, or construction during the reporting period, at a minimum:\n(1)\nAny potential hazards identified at each site;\n(2)\nThe testing methods employed to assess whether the conditions pose an environmental hazard;\n(3)\nThe test results for each potential hazard identified;\n(4)\nThe threshold levels at which remediation measures will be taken;\n(5)\nAny remediation measures taken; and\n(6)\nHow testing results and remediation strategies have been communicated to the public.\n\n(e)\n(1)\nBy September 30, 2017, DGS shall submit a report to the Council describing its compliance with this subchapter.\n(2)\nBy September 30, 2018, DGS shall submit another report to the Council describing its compliance with this subchapter.","path":["Title 10. Parks, Public Buildings, Grounds, and Space.","Chapter 7. Repairs and Improvements of Public Buildings.","Subchapter II. Environmental Assessment of Public Buildings."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/10-712","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"09de5b568c8a43ff07f5e70f2f9ee7bb259b43bb06bb56e033715220875a1d64","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-10-711","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-10-721"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}