Teachers can be at risk of asbestos exposure in certain situations, particularly if they work in older school buildings or educational facilities where asbestos-containing materials may still be present. Asbestos is a mineral that was widely used in construction materials for its heat resistance and durability but is now known to pose serious health risks when its fibers become airborne and are inhaled.
Bailey & Glasser, LLP specializes in asbestos-related cases and can help people who are experiencing health issues due to asbestos exposure.
How are Teachers at Risk?
Teachers are more at risk of asbestos exposure than the general population. This may be because they spend so much time in schools, which often used to be built with asbestos materials. Now that the buildings are older, the materials can deteriorate, causing asbestos fibers to be released into the air.
Asbestos Sources
Some situations where teachers may become exposed to asbestos include:
- Disturbing aging ceiling tiles: If a teacher notices deteriorating or damaged ceiling tiles, they might be tempted to address the issue themselves to prevent potential exposure to students. However, disturbing these tiles can release asbestos fibers. Teachers should report the issue rather than attempting to fix it independently.
- Moving or rearranging furniture: In older buildings, asbestos-containing materials may be present in floor tiles or under carpeting. When moving furniture, teachers could unknowingly damage these materials, releasing asbestos fibers into the air.
- Using older classroom supplies: Educational materials like chalkboards, bulletin boards, or science lab equipment in older classrooms may contain asbestos. Handling or cleaning these items without proper precautions can lead to asbestos exposure.
- Performing DIY repairs: Some teachers may attempt do-it-yourself (DIY) classroom repairs, such as patching up walls or fixing minor leaks. If these tasks involve disturbing materials that may contain asbestos, it can pose a risk.
- Unreported building issues: If teachers are aware of building issues like water damage, deteriorating insulation, or damaged pipe coverings that could contain asbestos, they should report these issues promptly. Ignoring such problems can lead to increased exposure risk.
However, not all teachers know that asbestos may be in their schools. You may not be aware that your school was built with asbestos-containing materials or that specific scenarios could put your health at risk.
Asbestos Health Risks
Asbestos-related health risks primarily stem from the inhalation of asbestos fibers, which can lead to various diseases, including:
- Asbestosis: This is a chronic lung disease that results from the scarring of lung tissue due to prolonged asbestos exposure. It can cause breathing difficulties, coughing, and a feeling of tightness in the chest.
- Lung cancer: Asbestos exposure increases the risk of developing lung cancer. The risk is particularly high for individuals who smoke in addition to being exposed to asbestos.
- Mesothelioma: This is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or other organs. It is strongly linked to asbestos exposure and often has a long latency period, meaning it can take decades for symptoms to develop after exposure.
- Other cancers: Asbestos exposure has also been associated with an increased risk of other cancers, including cancers of the larynx, esophagus, stomach, colon, and kidney.
Schools Known to Have Asbestos
Not all schools contain asbestos, but many do. Some of the more well-known colleges to contain asbestos materials include:
- Brown University: Materials containing asbestos have been found in cafeterias, classrooms, laboratories, auditoriums, libraries, residential buildings, and administrative buildings across the campus.
- Columbia University: Many of the University’s buildings are known to contain asbestos, including Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
- LA Community College District: The LA Community College District has 202 separate buildings over multiple locations. Asbestos is known to be present in a number of building materials used across the locations.
- Ohio State University: The University found that 92% of the buildings built in 1985 contained asbestos; the main sources were fireproofings, acoustic plaster, and thermal systems insulation.
- The Pennsylvania State University: Current buildings were built between 1940 and 1980, and over 100 contain asbestos in some form.
- University Of Alabama: At least 158 buildings are known to contain asbestos across the University Of Alabama’s three campuses.
- University Of Colorado: There have been two contamination incidents at the university, in 2003 and 2012, and asbestos is likely present in more college buildings.
- University Of Michigan: Around 75% of the college buildings were constructed before 1980, when asbestos construction materials were widely used.
- Vanderbilt University: Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, was founded in 1873 and built using construction material containing asbestos, including cement, insulation, ceiling and floor tiles, and drywall.
Asbestos Regulation in Schools
The following regulations are crucial for protecting the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff in educational institutions by ensuring that asbestos-containing materials are properly managed, maintained, and, when necessary, safely removed.
Toxic Substances Control Act
This federal law was passed in 1976 to regulate and control the use of various toxic substances, including asbestos. Under the TSCA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was granted the authority to assess and regulate the manufacture, distribution, use, and disposal of asbestos-containing materials. The TSCA plays a significant role in overseeing asbestos-related activities and ensuring that they adhere to specific safety standards.
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)
AHERA is an amendment to the TSCA and was enacted in 1986. This act primarily focuses on asbestos hazards in educational institutions, specifically K-12 public and nonprofit private schools. AHERA mandates that schools conduct inspections to identify asbestos-containing materials, develop management plans for handling these materials safely, and carry out proper abatement or maintenance activities when necessary. It also outlines requirements for notification to parents, teachers, and employee organizations about asbestos activities in schools.
Compliance with AHERA is especially critical for schools to prevent asbestos exposure and the associated health risks. Under these laws, schools are responsible for creating a safe environment regarding asbestos and are subject to inspections and oversight by the EPA to ensure compliance.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, the first step is typically a legal consultation. Bailey & Glasser, LLP offers a free initial consultation to evaluate the specifics of your case and determine if you have a viable legal claim.
