Children, Teachers Risk Asbestos Exposure in Chicago Schools

Hundreds of students and teachers in nearly 200 Chicago public schools risk exposure to deadly asbestos, a new report shows. The EWG Action Fund study shows Chicago Public School (CPS) officials in 2013 hired inspectors who advised them of the asbestos problems in the schools. Of the 184 elementary, middle and high schools identified as possible exposure risks, only 11 schools had complied with the recommendations, according to a 2015 CPS asbestos surveillance update. That surveillance report shows some schools still had damaged asbestos-containing pipe insulation that “appears to be separating at some places,” and plaster that was “falling behind door stage left.” In a statement to WGN-TV, CPS spokeswoman Emily Bittner said the district has “spent roughly $54 million on environmental remediation work (including asbestos) throughout the district” in the past five years. CPS officials told WGN-TV an updated report on the state of asbestos at the district’s schools will be issued at the end of June. Asbestos Found in Classrooms, Hallways and Teachers’ Lounges The 2013 inspection identified 1,174 locations containing asbestos products throughout Chicago’s public schools. The common, at-risk areas accessible to students, teachers and staff included: Classrooms Auditoriums Teachers’ lounges School corridors Restrooms Storage rooms Boiler rooms More than half of those locations contain friable (easily crumble...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Asbestos Exposure & Bans Source Type: news