The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is falling short of its responsibility to protect children, teachers, and staff in the nation’s schools from asbestos, according to an interagency watchdog.
The report assessed the EPA’s compliance with laws that require local education agencies to inspect schools for asbestos, make asbestos management plans, and take steps to reduce or prevent asbestos exposure. The EPA is responsible for ensuring that states comply with asbestos testing requirements.
The report found that between 2011 and 2015, the EPA conducted only 13% of required inspections. Asbestos was commonly used in American schools from 1946 to 1972 as insulation and a flame retardant in vinyl flooring, textured paint and patching on walls, and steam and water pipes.
Asbestos is a carcinogen that may cause as many as 15,000 deaths a year in the U.S.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Nov 15, 2018
New versions of DOE’s EnergyPlus engine and the OpenStudio software development kit released
New offerings resolve over 70 bugs and offer new features.
Codes and Standards | Nov 14, 2018
Obsolete safety standards may have been used in cleanup of former naval shipyard
San Francisco redevelopment site work may have been racked by fraud.
Codes and Standards | Nov 13, 2018
New York City’s new construction safety requirements are delayed
Some contractors say they weren’t ready for ‘massive initiative’.
Codes and Standards | Nov 9, 2018
Cities have multiple strategies to reduce parking requirements
Each community has to find its own mix of solutions.
Codes and Standards | Nov 8, 2018
Denver replaces green roof mandate with cool roof option
Less costly light-colored roofs can cut project costs by about 1.5%.
Codes and Standards | Nov 7, 2018
New report addresses sound transmission of wood-framed assemblies
AWC document provides empirical sound transmission model.
Codes and Standards | Nov 6, 2018
AIA releases 13 new and updated contract documents
Includes new Contractor-Subcontractor Master Agreement.
Codes and Standards | Nov 2, 2018
New Milwaukee Bucks home called world’s first bird-friendly sports arena
Design will make bird collisions less likely.
Codes and Standards | Nov 1, 2018
Several barriers holding back widespread construction of zero energy buildings
Code improvements and voluntary programs could add momentum.
Codes and Standards | Oct 31, 2018
Boston’s new flood protection plan centers on new parks
Initiative would add 67 acres of public open space.
