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Asbestos in Schools

Asbestos was widely used in the construction of schools and other buildings for the majority of the 20 th century. For instance, asbestos was widely used in insulation, walls, ceilings, floorings, and other building materials in schools. However, asbestos in schools can pose a serious health threat to students, teachers, maintenance and custodial workers, and others in the area.

Health Risks
While the health risks of asbestos have been known for over a century, it wasn’t until the 1980s that the widespread use of asbestos was significantly scaled back. Though the risks are known, many building materials still contain asbestos. Thus, asbestos in schools is still very present and could potentially pose a health risk.

When asbestos containing materials are intact and uncompromised, they typically do not pose a serious health threat. However, asbestos in schools is extremely dangerous if the asbestos fibers are damage, disturbed, deteriorating or otherwise compromised.

Exposure to asbestos in schools can lead to serious health problems including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. These diseases may not develop for years and often decades after exposure to asbestos in schools or other areas.

Regulating Asbestos in Schools
The Environmental Protection Agency regulates the presence, management, and health risks posed by asbestos under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). The goal of this law is to educate people in the identification and monitoring of asbestos containing materials. Only asbestos that has been compromised in some way, particularly during demolition or renovation work, should be removed.

Local education agencies for both public and non-profit private schools are required to do the following:

• Once every three years, these agencies must perform inspections of asbestos materials
• They must develop and maintain an updated asbestos management plan, a copy of which is to be kept on school grounds
• Provide annual notification to teachers, employees and parents about the asbestos management plan and any asbestos abatement performed that year
• Perform periodic surveillance of known or possible asbestos containing materials
• Provide custodial staff with asbestos awareness education

If you are concerned about asbestos in schools, contact your local school agency to learn more.