Asbestos Exposure in Schools

A Health Care Article Contributed by Kanchana Gunasekaran

Asbestos Exposure in Schools Creates Hazards

Asbestos exposure in the schools creates hazards to the staff, teachers and students who are exposed to it. Since 1989 asbestos exposure was banned by the EPA from all new uses. However those products which already had asbestos were still allowed even though regulations have been established in order to ensure managing the levels of asbestos exposure. The school systems are required by the EPA to remove any damaged asbestos found inside the premises.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance. However its fibers can become lodged in the lungs of the people when it is inhaled. Due to this inhalation, the health effects suffered may be deadly. Though there have been arguments on the safe level of asbestos exposure which can be permitted to a child, it has been claimed by the health experts that only asbestos fibers over an extended period of time and at high concentrations will lead to problems.

Asbestos Exposure Hazard Emergency Response Act (Ahera)

In some of the schools asbestos has been completely removed. But in a majority of the schools the levels of asbestos are simply managed under the requirements which are set by the Asbestos Exposure Hazard Emergency Response Act. This act was passed in 1986 by the congress. If the schools fail to comply with the Asbestos Exposure Hazard Emergency Response Act then enforcement actions by the EPA will be taken against them.

It is claimed by some experts that the asbestos exposure in school will not lead to any health risk if it managed properly. The belief of other people is that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure and a removal plan must be undergone by the schools which contain it.

Asbestos Exposure Management Plan Needs Periodic Inspections

As per the asbestos exposure management plan, the school authorities are required to undertake asbestos response actions, locate the areas of asbestos exposure within the premises of the schools and appropriate action to remove the damaged asbestos present. It is required that the asbestos exposure management plan is updated with the help of collected information during close observations conducted periodically every six months and reinspections which are done once in every three years.

The plan of the management is to keep the occupants of the school safe from the dangers of asbestos exposure. But there are constant reports that asbestos repair plans are undergone by the the schools across the nation due to the conditions which are not up to the mark. Breathing the fibers of asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer or mesothelioma. That is why asbestos has been classified as a human carcinogen.

At least once a year, the Parents teacher organizations must be notified by all the schools about the availability of the asbestos exposure management plans in their schools and the scheduled plans for the removal of asbestos. Inspection of the asbestos exposure management plan is the right of any parent, teacher or school employee. The regional asbestos coordinator of the EPA should be contacted for matters related to asbestos violations in the school.