Asbestos in Schools

Asbestos in Schools

Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)
AHERA mandated that EPA develop regulations to respond to asbestos in schools. To implement this mandate, EPA enacted the Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule. This rule requires all private and public nonprofit elementary and secondary schools 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.

Managing Asbestos in Schools (PDF) - a comprehensive guide (102pp, 653K, About PDF)
Model Asbestos Management Plan (PDF) - includes forms and instructions (39pp, 298K, About PDF)

Interpretation and Clarification of AHERA

Frequently Asked Questions
Interpretative Guidance Table Rule and Implementation Information
Asbestos Management in Schools (PDF) - federal requirements (2pp, 333K)
Removal of Vinyl Asbestos Tiles as an AHERA Response Action - policy clarification
Small-Scale, Short Duration Activities Defined

AHERA Designated Person

AHERA Designated Person List of Responsibilities
AHERA Designated Person Statement of Responsibilities (PDF) - form (1pp, 12K)
How to Manage Asbestos in School Buildings - AHERA Designated Person's Self-study Guide (103 pp, 653 K About PDF)

	Regional Information
	Asbestos in Schools Asbestos in Demolition and Renovation Contacts and Hotlines

	National Information
	National EPA Asbestos and Vermiculite Homepage An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality-- Asbestos Chemical data and references from Envirofacts Asbestos in Your Home Asbestos in Schools Asbestos en las Escuelas Hotline & Resources

	Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Hotline
	For technical questions related to the programs authorized by TSCA. E-mail: tsca-hotline@epa.gov Hours of Service: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (EST) M - F Telephone: 202-554-1404 TDD: 202-554-0551 Fax: 202-554-5603 (Fax available 24 hours a day)

Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act (ASHARA)

Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act (ASHARA), passed in 1990, requires accreditation of personnel working on asbestos activities in schools, public and commercial buildings. The Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (40 CFR Part 763, Appendix C) (59 FR 5236-5260, February 3, 1994) [PDF] requires the use of accredited inspectors, workers, supervisors, project designers, and management planners (schools only) when conducting asbestos activities at schools, public and commercial buildings.

EPA strongly recommends that asbestos-related activities conducted at public and commercial buildings follow the protocol for management and removal of asbestos-containing materials described in the Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule (40 CFR part 763)(52 FR 41826-41898) [PDF document]

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