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Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act
Related Information
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral used in building materials because of its heat and fire resistant properties. Common uses of asbestos include insulation, fire proofing, sound proofing, ceiling and floor tiles, the lining of heating and ventilation ductwork, window glazing, and adhesives. Many of these asbestos-containing materials (ACM) can be found in schools, in businesses, and in your home. In a solid and undisturbed state, asbestos poses minimal hazards and is very resilient. When damaged and friable (dry and crumbly), however, asbestos may cause many serious health effects.
In 1986, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) was signed into law, requiring public and private non-profit primary and secondary schools to inspect their buildings for asbestos-containing building materials. Although asbestos is hazardous when inhaled, the risk of exposure to airborne fibers is very low. Therefore, removal of asbestos from schools is often not the best course of action. It may even create a dangerous situation when none previously existed. EPA only requires removal of asbestos to prevent significant public exposure during demolition or renovation. EPA does, however, require an in-place, pro-active asbestos management program for all local education agencies (LEA) in order to ensure asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM) remains in good condition and is undisturbed by students, faculty, and staff.
Related Links
Healthy School Environments is intended to serve as a gateway to on-line resources to help facility managers, school administrators, architects, design engineers, school nurses, parents, teachers and staff address environmental health issues in schools.
Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools contains recommendations and tools to help communities and design professionals integrate good indoor air quality practices into the design, construction, renovation, and operation and maintenance of K-12 school facilities. Practical, cost-effective actions ranging from walk-off entry mats to advanced ventilation systems can reduce contaminants in schools and help protect the health of children and staff.
Compliance Under AHERA
EPA Settlement Will Bring Newark
Schools into Compliance With Asbestos Regulations
"EPA has been working with the Newark Public Schools over the past
several months to help them manage asbestos in schools properly,"
said Kathleen C. Callahan, Acting EPA Regional Administrator. "The
penalty money will go to good use it will be used by the school system
to correct the violations."
EPA Settlement Will Bring Yonkers
Schools into Compliance With Asbestos Regulations
EPA announced that it has reached an agreement with the Yonkers Public
Schools system requiring it to spend at least $131,000 to bring all of
its 43 schools into compliance with EPA asbestos in schools rules by September
2005. The agreement resolves the violations of federal asbestos regulations
identified by EPA during its inspections.
Asbestos in Schools Enforcement Alert - EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance has issued an AHERA enforcement alert concerning exposure to asbestos hazards in schools.
Important Publications
- Model AHERA Asbestos Management Plan for Local
Education Agencies [295 KB, 39 pages]
The AHERA rule became effective on December 14, 1987 and applies to all non-profit elementary and secondary schools nationwide, both public and private. Local Education Agencies (LEAs) are responsible for ensuring compliance with the AHERA rule and are required, among other things, to develop and maintain an up-to-date Asbestos Management Plan (AMP), conduct training, inspections, and sampling related to asbestos, manage asbestos properly and provide yearly notification to parents, teachers and employee organizations about the AMP and any asbestos-related activities. - AHERA Asbestos Management Plan Self-Audit
Checklist for Designated Persons [150 KB, 18 pages]
This companion guidance document is designed to help the Designated Person determine whether or not the school has an up-to-date compliance Asbestos Management Plan (AMP). It is recommended that the Checklist be reviewed first in order to quickly identify any potential deficiencies in the school's AMP.
