Asbestos in Schools and Public Buildings
A neutral overview of why asbestos remains relevant in older public buildings and how management requirements work in school settings.
Older schools and public buildings may still contain asbestos-containing materials because asbestos was widely used in insulation, floor materials, pipe coverings, and other building products for much of the twentieth century. The key issue is not simply whether asbestos exists in a building, but whether it is intact, monitored, and properly managed. EPA
Why schools are regulated differently
EPA states that, under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), public school districts and nonprofit private schools were required to inspect buildings for asbestos-containing material, develop management plans, and conduct re-inspections and periodic surveillance. EPA
Presence does not always equal immediate harm
EPA also explains that properly managed asbestos-containing material that is undamaged may not pose the same risk as material that is crumbling, damaged, or disturbed during maintenance or renovation. Disturbance is what raises concern about airborne fibers. EPA