PACNY 29th Annual Environmental Conference Part Two – Day Two Recap

Day Two of the Professional Abatement Contractors of New York (PACNY) 29th Annual Environmental Conference on February 26, 2026, at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino delivered a full schedule of technical presentations, regulatory updates, and practical field discussions, all complemented by strong engagement in the Vendor Exhibit Hall.

Future Environment Design's Team in the Vendor Hall

With the morning sessions split between the Mohawk and Tuscarora Rooms, attendees could tailor their experience to their discipline and interests while still coming together throughout the day in the Oneida Room for networking, lunch, and the always-popular Happy Hour.

Vendor Exhibit Hall Sets New Record

Before diving into the sessions, it’s worth highlighting that this year’s Vendor Exhibit Hall, located in the Oneida Room, featured 32 vendors, setting a new conference record.

This continues to reflect the industry's growth and the importance of direct interaction among service providers, manufacturers, trainers, consultants, and contractors. The exhibit hall remained active throughout the day, especially during lunch and the closing Happy Hour, providing valuable opportunities to connect and discuss new products, services, and technologies.

Morning Sessions – Mohawk Room

"Lead-Based Paint Regulations: Recent Changes & Updated Standards" by Brad Arthur, PE – Arthur Engineering DPC. The day began with a regulatory-focused presentation on lead-based paint, where one of the more notable updates discussed was the shift away from using the term “clearance.”  Instead, the industry is moving toward defined terminology using two distinct clearance-related levels:

• Work Completed
• Pre-Occupancy

2026 Changes to the Lead Standard

Brad also addressed the growing challenges associated with analytical methods at increasingly lower detection limits. The cost differences between methodologies were particularly eye-opening:

• Flame AA: approximately $4 per sample
• ICP: approximately $45 per sample

This has significant implications for project budgeting and laboratory selection as regulatory thresholds continue to tighten.

"The Science You Should Know" by Kevin Hutton – EAST Centers of NY.  Kevin delivered a science-driven session reinforcing the importance of understanding the “why” behind what we do in the field. While many of us operate within regulatory frameworks daily, revisiting the underlying science helps strengthen decision-making, interpretation of results, and overall credibility in the field.

"Exposure Assessments Under OSHA’s Asbestos Construction Standard" by Peter DeLucia – Riedman Companies. This presentation focused on the practical application of exposure assessments under 29 CFR 1926.1101, highlighting:

• Real-world compliance challenges
• Proper interpretation of exposure data
• The importance of defensible assessment strategies

The discussion resonated with many in the room, particularly regarding the gap between regulatory language and field implementation.

Morning Sessions – Tuscarora Room

"Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights – Employer Edition" by Michael Paglialonga, Attorney at Law, at Littler Labor & Employment Law Solutions.  This session provided a timely and important briefing on the evolving landscape of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and I-9 compliance, particularly in construction and hospitality sectors.  The key takeaway was clear:

• We are seeing a shift from historically routine, paper-based audits to more aggressive, high-frequency site inspections and enforcement actions, with projections reaching up to 15,000 audits annually.
• The emphasis has moved toward proactive compliance, or what was described as “preventative maintenance” of documentation, to avoid significant civil and potential criminal liability.

Michael Paglialonga, ICE Presenter, photo by Nathan Boor of AAC

"Workers’ Compensation: Protecting Yourself and Your Team" by Anthony Tomeselli – NYS Workers’ Compensation Board.  Anthony provided a comprehensive overview of workers’ compensation, focusing on:

• The distinction between business advocates and injured worker advocates
• Proper classification of independent contractors
• The implications of the Construction Industry Fair Play Act

This was a valuable reminder that misclassification and misunderstanding coverage requirements can have serious financial and legal consequences.

Anthony Tomeselli's points regarding the Business Advocate

"From Mold to Measurement: A Practical Overview of Mycotoxins" by Aaron Wilson – Hayes Microbial Consulting.  Aaron’s presentation highlighted the complexity of mycotoxins and their impact on indoor environmental quality.  One of the most critical takeaways:

• Mycotoxins are toxic at extremely low concentrations—parts per billion (ppb) and even parts per trillion (ppt).

This reinforces the need for careful interpretation of sampling data and a strong understanding of the limitations and capabilities of current analytical methods.

Aaron Wilson discussing types of mycotoxins

Afternoon Sessions

"Asbestos in Settled Dust – Is it a Valid Method?" Panel Discussion Panelists:

• Angelo Garcia, III – Future Environment Designs, Inc.
• Martin S. Rutstein, Ph.D. – Environmental Consulting and Management Services, Inc.
• Marc Rutstein – Environmental Consulting and Management Services, Inc.

This panel sparked significant discussion around one of the more debated topics in the industry—the validity and application of settled dust sampling for asbestos.  The conversation focused on:

• Whether it should be used as a screening or decision-making tool
• Interpretation challenges
• Regulatory limitations
• Real-world implications, including cost impacts when misapplied

We really enjoyed working with the Rutsteins in putting this presentation together.  Though Dr. Rutstein's review of our presentation made us feel like we were back in college working with our professors.  See our presentation below, and our slides can be found in our training library.

"Diversity in Safety – Inclusive Safety Designs" by Courtney Connelly – The El Group, Inc.  Courtney delivered an important session on designing safety programs that are not just compliant, but inclusive.  The focus was on providing equity tools—ensuring that all workers, regardless of background or ability, have access to the same level of protection.  This is an area that continues to evolve and deserves ongoing attention in safety program development.

Courtney Connelly discussing OSHA PPE Update

"From the People’s House to Every House" by Linda Reinstein – Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization.  Linda Reinstein presented from Washington, D.C., on enforcement gaps, accountability, and the current status of the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act.  The central question: Where do we stand today?  The presentation reinforced:

• Ongoing regulatory gaps
• The need for comprehensive legislative action
• The human impact of delayed policy decisions

As always, Linda’s presentation grounded the technical discussions in real-world consequences and public health impact.

Linda Reinstein discussing asbestos disease 

"Common Compliance Issues in the Field" by Stacy Portnoy – New York State Department of Labor Asbestos Control Bureau.  Closing out the formal sessions, Stacy provided a practical look at common compliance issues observed in the field.  These types of presentations are always valuable, as they reflect what regulators are actually seeing on projects—often highlighting recurring issues that are entirely preventable with proper planning and oversight.

Stacy Portnoy discusses the most common violations in 2025

Closing the Day: Networking and Industry Engagement

The day concluded with the Happy Hour Networking Event in the Vendor Exhibit Hall.  With record vendor participation and strong attendee turnout, the room remained active and engaged. These interactions continue to be a key component of the conference—providing an opportunity to discuss challenges, share solutions, and strengthen professional relationships across the industry.  One of the interesting vendors was A2Z Environmental LLC because they have a battery-operated pump capable of sampling for asbestos (both NIOSH 7400 method and the AHERA TEM method) and mold (spore trap sampling).  See the video from the Happy Hour Networking Event below:

Final Thoughts

Day Two of the PACNY Conference successfully balanced technical depth, regulatory insight, and practical field application.  From evolving enforcement trends and analytical challenges to emerging discussions on equity and technology, the sessions reflected where the industry stands today—and where it’s heading.

Stay tuned for Part 3, where we’ll wrap up the final day of the conference and key takeaways

Related Articles:

• PACNY 29th Annual Environmental Conference Returns to Three-Day Format at Turning Stone

PACNY 29th Annual Environmental Conference Returns to Three-Day Format at Turning Stone

The Professional Abatement Contractors of New York (PACNY) 29th Annual Environmental Conference, held at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino, marked a strong return to a full three-day format, taking place February 25th, 26th, and 27th, 2026. The expanded schedule provided additional opportunities for education, collaboration, and industry engagement, beginning with the President’s Reception on the evening of February 25th.

Early Afternoon Session: Technology, Design, and Industry Insight

The conference officially opened on Wednesday with a timely and forward-looking presentation by Mark and Mike Gonzales, of Cornerstone Training Institute, titled: “The Emergence of AI, Robotics, Virtual Reality, and Modern Technologies in the Environmental Remediation Industry.”  This was an excellent, highly relevant session that explored not only the availability of these technologies but also their active implementation across the environmental and remediation sectors.

Mark Gonzales of Cornerstone Training Institute

The discussion covered:

• Real-world applications of artificial intelligence and robotics
• The role of virtual reality in training and hazard simulation
• The benefits of increased efficiency, safety, and data collection
• The limitations and challenges that still exist with AI adoption

A key takeaway was the growing role of advanced sensors and exoskeletons, which are now being used to assess hazards in real time and, in many cases, eliminate or significantly reduce worker exposure.  The integration of these tools represents a meaningful step forward in both safety and productivity.

Mike Gonzales of Cornerstone Training Institute

Additionally, the use of drones equipped with 360-degree cameras continues to evolve, offering enhanced site assessments, documentation, and inspection capabilities—particularly in areas that are difficult or unsafe to access.

The session struck a balanced tone, emphasizing both the promise of these technologies and the practical limitations the industry must still navigate.

Late Afternoon Panel Discussion: The Criticality of Design

Following a short break, the focus shifted from emerging technology to one of the foundational elements of our industry—project design.  Benjamin Reddy of Ravi Engineering moderated a panel discussion with Gary Lasky of LCP Group Inc. on “The Criticality of Design.”  This was a highly engaging and comprehensive discussion that drew significant participation from attendees. What made this session particularly valuable was the open exchange of real-world experiences related to asbestos project design.

Ben Reddy of Ravi Engineering

Topics included:

• Common strengths and weaknesses in project specifications
• Challenges encountered in the field due to design deficiencies
• The importance of clear, enforceable, and practical design documents
• Lessons learned from both successful and problematic projects

The dialogue reinforced something many in the room already know—good design sets the tone for the entire project, while poor design can lead to confusion, delays, increased costs, and compliance issues.

President’s Reception: Kicking Off the Conference

The day concluded with the PACNY President’s Reception, which provided an excellent opportunity for attendees to reconnect with colleagues, meet new professionals, and begin the conference on a strong networking note.

As always, these informal settings continue to be just as valuable as the formal sessions, fostering conversations that often lead to collaboration and shared solutions across the industry.

Looking Ahead

With a strong opening day that balanced innovation with practical field experience, the PACNY Conference set the stage for two more days of education and discussion.  Stay tuned for Part 2 and Part 3, where we’ll cover the remainder of the conference sessions, speakers, and key takeaways.

Our new booth is set up and ready to go!