Brayton Purcell LLP

Call For A Free Consultation
800-598-0314

Call For A Free Consultation 800-598-0314

Brayton Purcell LLP
  • Home
  • Firm Overview
    • Our Beliefs
      • Giving Back
      • Our Associations And Memberships
      • The Right To Trial By Jury
    • Regions Served
    • Careers
    • Our Employees Pets
    • Press Releases
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Mesothelioma/Asbestos
    • Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
    • Toxic Substances
    • Estate Planning
    • Other Areas Of Practice
  • Court Successes
    • Trial Verdicts
    • Appeals
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Firm Overview
    • Our Beliefs
      • Giving Back
      • Our Associations And Memberships
      • The Right To Trial By Jury
    • Regions Served
    • Careers
    • Our Employees Pets
    • Press Releases
  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Mesothelioma/Asbestos
    • Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
    • Toxic Substances
    • Estate Planning
    • Other Areas Of Practice
  • Court Successes
    • Trial Verdicts
    • Appeals
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Contact

Asbestos a Silent Danger in Our Schools

On behalf of Brayton Purcell LLP | Jan 6, 2017 | Schools

As U.S. children head back to school after winter break, too many of them will be returning to school buildings that contain asbestos. Unfortunately, it is well documented that aging schools present the risk of asbestos exposure to students, teachers, administrators, janitors and maintenance personnel.

Historically, many of the building and finishing materials used to construct schools could have contained asbestos. When these materials are broken, sanded, crushed or cut during renovation, cleaning or demolition, microscopic fibers released into the air could harm anyone on the premises. When the mineral is breathed in, the seed is planted for the growth of potentially devastating asbestos-related diseases, sometimes decades into the future.

Some of the common materials that could contain asbestos in schools include:

  • Cement pipes
  • Pipe covering and insulation
  • Fireproofing
  • Ceiling, wall and floor tiles
  • Plaster
  • Joint and patching compounds
  • Boiler insulation
  • Brakes, clutches and gaskets in mechanical shop classes
  • And others

This harm was recognized by Congress by its passage of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, known as AHERA, in 1986. AHERA and its regulations set out complex requirements for public school districts (subdivisions of state government) and private schools to inspect their buildings for the presence of asbestos, create asbestos management plans, provide relevant employee training and reduce the potential for hazardous exposure. During renovation or demolition, national safety standards must be followed and trained professionals used to perform the work.

Enforcement and oversight of AHERA requirements are delegated to the states with oversight by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or EPA. Twelve states with safety standards equal to or better than those under AHERA have been granted waiver from federal oversight, leaving enforcement and oversight to those state governments.

In 2015, U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D, Cal., surveyed state governments regarding the status of AHERA adherence in their states. The results were dismal, signaling that the protections envisioned in the federal law are largely either not being provided or the status of compliance is unknown.

AHERA grants to citizens the right to request information about asbestos in individual school districts. If you believe that you or your child may have been exposed to asbestos in an educational setting, speak with an attorney.

Recent Posts

  • Who is Most at Risk of Mesothelioma?
  • Boiler Room Workers and Asbestos Exposure
  • Mitigating the financial impact of mesothelioma treatments
  • The EPA’s difficulty with data disclosure
  • Judge orders EPA to close loopholes on asbestos-related reporting

Archives

Categories

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

Free Consultation

Take The First Step In Resolving Your Issue. Send Us An Email.

Email Us For A Response

San Francisco
Bay Area Office

222 Rush Landing Road Novato, CA 94945

Novato Office
222 Rush Landing Road
Novato, CA 94945
Toll Free: 800-598-0314
Phone: 415-898-1555
Fax: 415-898-1247

Map & Directions

Southern California
Office

12 28th Street Venice, California 90291

Los Angeles Office
12 28th Street
Venice, California 90291
Toll Free: 800-598-0314
Phone: 415-898-1555
Fax: 415-898-1247

Map & Directions
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow

© 2021 Brayton Purcell LLP. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters

Review Us