What Parents Should Know About Asbestos in Schools
Any school built before 1980 was very likely constructed with asbestos containing materials. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in thousands of construction products because of it was fire-proof, heat and erosion resistant, very durable, affordable and available. Asbestos, now known to cause serious illness, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, was not regulated by federal, state and local agencies until the mid to late 1980’s.
Although asbestos is no longer added to any products and currently used, any construction, renovation, or demolition work to schools often disturbs already existing asbestos containing materials. Any activity that creates dust, which can cause asbestos to become airborne, creates a health hazard.
Asbestos in schools is commonly found in the following materials:
- Pipe and boiler insulation
- Sprayed or troweled on surfacing or fireproofing
- Roofing and shingles
- Floor and ceiling tiles
- Siding, window caulking, sealants
- Cement asbestos pipes
These materials are safe if intact and in good condition. It is only when they are disturbed that microscopic fibers can be released and inhaled or ingested, decades later causing illness.
In the United States, all schools are mandated by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) to have an asbestos management plan. AHERA went into effect in 1986 and regulates the encapsulation, removal, disposal of or repair to any asbestos containing material (ACM). If the levels of asbestos are expected to exceed safety standards during construction, workers are required to be provided training, protective clothing, and medical check-ups. Warning signs and letters to the families and community are also required.
If work is to be performed at schools and asbestos is known to be present, according to management plans, schools have four options:
- Repair
- Encapsulate
- Enclose
- Remove
If removal is the best option, an accredited asbestos abatement professional must perform the work. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts inspections to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
The Occupational Safety and Hazard Agency (OSHA), in 1986, established that 0.1 fibers/cc of air is the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for asbestos. Therefore, if work is being performed at your child’s school, but air quality tests show that the level of asbestos is less than this amount, then officials do not need to notify parents. It is only if levels of exposure are to exceed this limit that notification is required.
Although there is some evidence that the danger of exposure to asbestos depends on the nature and extent of exposure and type of asbestos used, many believe there are no safe levels and no safe types of asbestos. It only takes a single fiber to be inhaled for it to lead to development of mesothelioma and asbestos diseases decades later. Therefore it is best to keep students and staff away from any construction area to avoid all possible risk.
If you are interested in more information regarding a particular school, you may contact them and request a copy of their asbestos management plan. Every school is required to have an updated one. You can also visit http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos/standards.html to find further information regarding OSHA requirements or read a publication written by EPA called the ABC’s of Asbestos in Schools.
