Asbestos in Schools

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber, once widely used in building materials for its thermal insulating properties and fire resistance. Although the removal of asbestos from school buildings is an option for schools, many schools and local education agencies have chosen to manage some asbestos-containing building material in place.

Intact, undisturbed asbestos-containing materials generally do not pose a health risk. These materials may become hazardous and pose increased risk if they are damaged, are disturbed in some manner, or deteriorate over time and release asbestos fibers into building air.

A number of building materials still in use today contain asbestos. Asbestos remains in use as an acoustic insulator, and in thermal insulation, fire proofing, roofing, flooring and other materials. You can find a more complete list of past uses of asbestos.

Topic Finder:

What is EPA doing to help keep school children safe?
What is the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)?
How do schools comply with AHERA?
What else can I do as a school administrator to ensure that students are safe?
Where can I learn more?
Useful Links
En Español, Información para parientes, maestros y otros empleados escolares

What is EPA doing to help keep school children safe?

EPA's asbestos program for schools, mandated by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), and its regulations for schools and other buildings is founded on the principle of "in-place" management of asbestos-containing material (ACM). This approach is designed to prevent asbestos exposure by teaching people to recognize asbestos-containing materials and actively monitor and, where necessary, manage them in place. Removal of ACM is not usually necessary unless the material is severely damaged or will be disturbed by a building demolition or renovation project.

Top of page

What is the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)?

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), a provision of the Toxic Substances Control Act, became law in 1986. AHERA requires local education agencies to inspect their schools for asbestos-containing building material and prepare management plans to prevent or reduce asbestos hazards.

Public school districts and non-profit private schools (collectively called local education agencies) are subject to AHERA's requirements. This includes charter schools and schools affiliated with religious institutions.

EPA provides local education agencies and parents and teachers with information about the AHERA asbestos-in-schools requirements through mailings and other outreach.

A list of EPA regional asbestos contacts is available.

Top of page

How do schools comply with AHERA?

The rules implementing AHERA are published in the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 40, Part 763, Subpart E. The AHERA rules require local education agencies to take actions to:

Perform an original inspection and re-inspection every three years of asbestos-containing material;
Develop, maintain, and update an asbestos management plan and keep a copy at the school;
Provide yearly notification to parent, teacher, and employee organizations regarding the availability of the school's asbestos management plan and any asbestos abatement actions taken or planned in the school;
Designate a contact person to ensure the responsibilities of the local education agency are properly implemented;
Perform periodic surveillance of known or suspected asbestos-containing building material;
Ensure that properly-accredited professionals perform inspections and response actions and prepare management plans; and
Provide custodial staff with asbestos-awareness training.

Top of page

As a school administrator, what else can I do to ensure that students are safe?

In addition to the requirements pursuant to AHERA, local education agencies need also to comply with the Asbestos National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), found at 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M. It requires that owners or operators of facilities notify the appropriate authority (usually the state air pollution control agency) before demolishing or renovating facilities. If minimum amounts of regulated asbestos will be removed or disturbed, the owner/operator must adequately wet and carefully remove the asbestos components, keeping them wet until collected for disposal, and then disposing of the asbestos waste in accordance with the regulations.

Resources for Local Education Agencies (LEAs)

Fact Sheet - What LEAs Should Know About the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) (PDF) (1 pp, 62K) (March 2005)
The ABC's of Asbestos in Schools (PDF) (20 pp, 1MB) (August 2003)
Asbestos in Schools Fact Sheet (PDF) (1 pp, 334K) (August 2003)
How to Manage Asbestos in School Buildings - AHERA Designated Person's Self-study Guide (PDF) (103 pp, 653K) (January 1996) - This document is located on EPA Region 2's AHERA Web site.

If you need assistance in obtaining the content of these documents, please contact EPA's National Program Chemicals Division at 202-566-0500.

Top of page

Where can I learn more?

You will find several resources on the EPA Web site including the The ABC's of Asbestos in Schools (PDF) (20 pp, 1MB). If you need assistance in obtaining information on asbestos in schools, please contact EPA's National Program Chemicals Division at 202-566-0500. You can also request more information on the AHERA requirements from the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Assistance Information Service at 202-554-1404, or from the Asbestos Ombudsman at 1-800-368-5888.

EPA maintains ten Regional Offices to implement federal environmental programs around the country. These Regional Offices cooperate with federal, state, interstate and local agencies, as well as with industry, academic institutions and other private groups, to ensure that their Region's needs are addressed and that federal environmental laws are upheld. Within each Region, Regional Asbestos Coordinators and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Asbestos Coordinators oversee Asbestos efforts.

Top of page

Useful Links

EPA Links -