School Closures Due to Asbestos
The news is constantly reporting of schools needing to close off sections, certain buildings, or an entire campus due to threat of exposure to asbestos and wanting to prevent any risk of later development of mesothelioma.
Many schools were built during the time when asbestos was commonly added to many construction products. In the United States, asbestos was used in thousands of building materials up until the mid 1980’s, when it became more highly regulated. Now, when those school buildings are damaged or in need of repair, the threat of exposure to asbestos is high.
Asbestos, when encapsulated, intact or in good condition, does not pose a health hazard. However when asbestos becomes airborne, it can cause fatal diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
Because of the toxicity of asbestos, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Agency have strict regulations that schools must follow if they know or suspect the presence of asbestos containing materials. Schools are required to follow the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), have an asbestos management plan, and to follow guidelines while performing any repairs, renovations or demolition.
These guidelines are intended to protect not only workers, but also students, staff and the community from any threat of exposure.
School closures occur not only in the United States, but often in other countries as well. Most recently, the Mackay North State Primary School in Australia had to close down a section of their school after discovering peeling paint that most likely contains asbestos. This is the fourth school in the same district that has had to be concerned about possible asbestos exposure due to damage or deterioration of materials.
Controversy over the extent of asbestos in schools throughout the UK has been frontline news for the past couple years as asbestos related deaths of teachers and school staff has risen.
The only real way to prevent mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases is to prevent all exposure. If you work at a school or have a child in school, it’s important to make sure all safety regulations are followed, even if they cause inconvenience. Symptoms of mesothelioma take decades to appear, so you or your child must take precautions now in order to prevent later development of the disease.
If you or anyone you know has known exposure to asbestos or has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please contact us at 1-800-440-4262 for financial, legal and medical help. We are a mesothelioma law firm that only specializes in asbestos lawsuits and are experts in getting financial compensation as quickly as possible.
