Can Teachers Be Exposed to Asbestos in Schools?

Asbestos in School Buildings

Thousands of schools across the United States were built with asbestos-containing materials during the mid-20th century. Asbestos was used in floor tiles and mastic, acoustic ceiling tiles, pipe and boiler insulation, structural fireproofing, laboratory countertops and hood linings, and stage curtains. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that asbestos is present in a significant portion of the nation’s public and private school buildings.

When these materials are in good condition and left undisturbed, they generally do not pose an immediate health risk. However, over time, asbestos materials can deteriorate due to age, water damage, vibration, or physical disturbance during maintenance and renovation. Crumbling pipe insulation, damaged ceiling tiles, and cracked floor tiles can release asbestos fibers into classroom air.

How Teachers Are Exposed

Teachers typically experience low-level, chronic exposure over the course of careers spanning 20 to 30 years or more. While a single day’s exposure in a school building may be minimal, the cumulative effect of years of breathing air contaminated with low concentrations of asbestos fibers can contribute to disease risk. There is no established safe threshold for asbestos exposure.

Certain activities increase the risk. Pinning materials to asbestos-containing ceiling tiles, stacking items against deteriorating pipe insulation, or simply opening and closing windows with asbestos glazing compounds can release fibers. Teachers in science labs may encounter asbestos in laboratory equipment and fume hood linings. Custodians, maintenance workers, and administrators who spend time in boiler rooms, mechanical spaces, and storage areas face additional exposure.

Federal Protections and Compliance

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), enacted in 1986, requires all public and private K-12 schools to inspect for asbestos, develop management plans, and take action to prevent exposure. Schools must reinspect every three years and maintain their management plans. However, compliance with AHERA varies significantly, and some schools have failed to maintain proper inspections or address known asbestos hazards.

Teachers and school staff who are concerned about asbestos in their buildings should request to review the school’s AHERA management plan, which must be made available to employees and parents upon request.

Legal Options for Teachers

Teachers diagnosed with mesothelioma may pursue compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products used in their school buildings. Claims may also be available against property owners, school districts, or maintenance contractors who failed to manage asbestos hazards properly. An experienced attorney can evaluate your situation at no cost.