Long before closures due to the coronavirus pandemic, many Pennsylvania schools faced a different health crisis: unsafe facilities. Crumbling buildings, asbestos, lead, and other school facility health and safety risks plague many schools across Pennsylvania, particularly in low-income districts and those that enroll a high percentage of Black and…

Reviews a survey of asbestos in the schools and the status of asbestos regulations enforcement policy. Reviews the status of asbestos litigation and recovery of abatement costs. Provides suggestions for choosing asbestos abatement contractors. (MD)

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in several forms and because of its temperature-resisting properties, flexibility, and strength, it was widely used in the construction industry, automobile industry, and textile industry. Asbestos becomes dangerous when it crumbles and breaks releasing fibers that can cause asbestosis and certain…

This is a report on the evaluation of the status of the Asbestos in Schools Identification and Notification rule, which requires all public and private local education agencies (LEA's) to inspect, sample, notify occupants, and maintain records on asbestos materials in school buildings. The evaluation consisted of a national survey of 2,600…

The information in this report is derived from responses to a questionnaire sent to contacts in the 50 states in winter 1988. The questionnaire, which uses the requirements of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) as a base for comparing state programs, sought information regarding state programs dealing with asbestos in…

In fall 1989, the initial implementation of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) was evaluated. This report summarizes evaluation results presented in a two-volume final report and appendices. AHERA regulations required: (1) inspection of all elementary and secondary schools to identify any asbestos-containing building…

All schools are required to develop and implement an asbestos management plan (AMP). The key component of this plan is each school's operations and maintenance (O&M) program. This report outlines the importance of such programs. It describes an O&M program as an administrative framework that prescribes specific activities and work…

In fall 1989, the initial implementation of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) was evaluated. AHERA regulations required inspection of all elementary and secondary schools to identify any asbestos-containing building materials present; preparation of an asbestos management plan for each school; notification of parents and…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently completed an evaluation of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) regulatory program in schools. The purpose of the fact sheet is to inform schools of their initial AHERA successes, note areas for improvement, and provide additional guidance. Major findings pertaining to school building…

Mold and indoor air quality (IAQ) are matters of major concern to architects and their educational clients. The Environmental Protection Agency's Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools program offers help to districts seeking to tackle IAQ issues. Strengthening community relations is one way to be ready in case of a bad environmental or IAQ report.…

This Congressional testimony focuses on the challenges faced by the District of Columbia in modernizing its public schools. Specifically, it addresses: (1) increases in the cost of modernizing the schools; (2) delays in completing the schools; (3) quality inspection problems; and (4) concerns about managing asbestos hazards. The testimony…

Argues that schools should use a planned communications program to allay fears brought on by asbestos removal. Offers tips on informing the public, such as developing an informative handbook and distributing flyers. Claims that special meetings offer the opportunity to hand out materials and answer questions. (RJM)

Discusses what school business officials should know concerning environmental hazards in educational facilities, particularly bloodborne pathogens (Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B), lead in paint and water, and asbestos. The keys to managing environmental hazards are education and a knowledgeable inhouse employee or outside consultant…

Increasing insulation in schools as an energy-saving measure has given rise to the Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), which afflicts roughly one-third of the nation's schools. This article examines asbestos, radon, electromagnetic radiation, and chemical pollutants and describes steps to make schools environmentally safe for students. School officials…

The New York City Board of Education's Division of School Facilities (DSF) is responsible for the repairs and maintenance of all public schools and other board facilities. This report contains findings of an audit conducted by the Office of the State Comptroller of the DSF's Repair and Maintenance Program. The audit focused on the DSF's efforts to…