• MicroEcologies

  1829 Madison Ave.; 212-755-3265

  Whether you’ve got mold, asbestos, lead paint, or are simply in the market for a good gas mask, you’re in the best possible hands with MicroEcologies founder Bill Sothern and his staff, whose safety practices actually exceed strict government requirements. Credit the doctorly approach to Sothern, who has consulted for hospitals, landlords, and the city: While others take just a three-day course to be approved to handle lead, he’s a certified industrial hygienist, a weighty credential requiring years of experience, many recommendations, and 60 credit hours in science. For lead removal, for instance, fees range between $2,000 for small jobs to $20,000 for entire brownstones

From the 2007 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine