condition known as asbestosis.Asbestosis, a thickening and scarring of the
lung tissue, usually occurs when a person is exposed to high asbestos lev-
els over an extensive period of time. Unfortunately, the symptoms do
not usually appear until about twenty years after initial exposure, mak-
ing it difficult to reverse or prevent. In addition, smoking while exposed
to asbestos fibers could further increase the risk of developing lung can-
cer. When it comes to asbestos exposure in the home, school, and work-
place, there is no safe level; any exposure is considered harmful and
dangerous. Prior to the 1970s asbestos use was ubiquitous—many com-
mercial building and home insulation products contained asbestos. In
the home in particular, there are many places where asbestos hazards
might be present. Building materials that may contain asbestos include
fireproofing material (sprayed on beams), insulation material (on pipes
and oil and coal furnaces), acoustical or soundproofing material (sprayed
onto ceilings and walls), and in miscellaneous materials, such as asphalt,
vinyl, and cement to make products like roofing felts, shingles, siding,
wallboard, and floor tiles.
We advise homeowners and concerned consumers to examine mate-
rial in their homes if they suspect it may contain asbestos. If the mate-
rial is in good condition, fibers will not break down, releasing the
chemical debris that may be a danger to members of the household.
Asbestos is a powerful substance and should be handled by an expert. Do
not touch or disturb the material—it may then become damaged and
release fibers. Contact local health, environmental, or other appropri-
ate officials to find out proper handling and disposal procedures, if war-
ranted. If asbestos removal or repair is needed you should contact a
professional.
Asbestos contained in high-traffic public buildings, such as
schools presents the opportunity for disturbance and potential expo-
sure to students and employees. To protect individuals, the Asbestos
Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) was signed in 1986. This
law requires public and private non-profit primary and secondary
schools to inspect their buildings for asbestos-containing building
materials. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has pub-
lished regulations for schools to follow in order to protect against
asbestos contamination and provide assistance to meet the AHERA
requirements. These include performing an original inspection and
periodic re-inspections every three years for asbestos containing
material; developing, maintaining, and updating an asbestos man-
agement plan at the school; providing yearly notification to parent,
teacher, and employee organizations regarding the availability of the
school’s asbestos management plan and any asbestos abatement(15)
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