Visit us anytime at https://www.asbestosclaims.law/. Health and Safety Tips: Asbestos Advice for Schools
Decades after the deadly effects of asbestos were exposed, the mineral still lurks in a wide range of building structures throughout the country, including schools.
Many schools were built with asbestos materials and products.
Asbestos-containing products do not typically pose any danger to health as long as they remain intact and are left undisturbed.
However, when they are disturbed, they will emit dangerous microscopic fibers into the air to be inhaled or ingested by anyone in the vicinity.
Where can asbestos be found in schools?
Asbestos was once used in a vast range of construction material products, and consequently, it can be found in many areas of school buildings.
Common school building materials that may contain asbestos include:
Asbestos cement sheets, roofing, downpipes, guttering, ceiling tiles, vinyl flooring, textured paint/popcorn ceilings, wallboard, heating and cooling systems, ductwork, and asbestos lagging on boilers and pipe work.
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What is being done about asbestos in schools?
In 1986, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) was passed in Congress, aimed at protecting students and teachers from the dangers of asbestos in schools.
AHERA requires that all public school districts (and not-for-profit private schools) adhere to a list of guidelines, including training a designated person to oversee all asbestos-related issues.
Visit AsbestosClaims.law for the full list.
What should happen when asbestos is found in a school?
According to AHERA guidelines, the response to finding asbestos in a school should include:
Removal
The only permanent solution to the risk of exposure is to remove the asbestos.
Unfortunately, asbestos removal is costly and must be carried out by licensed professionals
Inspection and routine maintenance
When the identified asbestos is in good (undamaged and intact) condition, a maintenance plan should be carried out to ensure that it stays that way
Encapsulation and enclosure
The risk of exposure must be carefully managed by accredited asbestos professionals and can include encapsulation (spraying exposed asbestos with a sealant), and enclosure (creating an airtight barrier around the asbestos)
Ensuring that sufficient measures are being taken to remove asbestos from school buildings
While the guidelines as set out by the AHERA are all well and good in theory, recent findings demonstrate that more needs to be done.
An Ongoing Danger: Asbestos can still be found in some schools
Between 2011 and 2015, only 13% of the required AHERA inspections were actually carried out.
Some states have waived Federal removal requirements for asbestos in schools.
The states not included in this responsibility are 12 waiver and nine non-waiver states.
The 12 waiver states are Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, and Utah.
These states implement their own school asbestos programs.
The nine non-waiver states are New York, New Jersey, Vermont, West Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Hawaii.
These states also conduct their own inspections, with oversight (and enforcement) by the EPA.
Don’t Wait.
Take Action if you are unsure.
Visit http://www.AsbestosClaims.law for more information. Reach out to us at any time via our website or call us directly at (833) 4-ASBESTOS.
