Search Frequent Questions

Displaying 76 - 90 of 103 results

• My school district will be performing asbestos abatement in a kindergarten classroom that was built before 1978. Do the asbestos abatement workers also need to comply with the RRP rule? 

  Yes, if the asbestos abatement disrupts over six square feet of painted surface per room in an interior, or over 20 square feet of painted surface on an exterior, or involves window replacement or demolition of painted surfaces. If so, the asbestos abatement will need to be performed by a…

  • Last published: January 29, 2025

• What are some of the health effects of lead?

  Answer : Lead is known to cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children under six years of age are most at risk from exposure to lead-based paint because they crawl on the floor and they put their hands and other…

  • Last published: January 13, 2025

• Can a local education agency (LEA) designate a committee instead of one person to coordinate asbestos programs for an LEA?

  No. Section 763.84(g)(1) requires each LEA to designate “a person” (i.e., an individual). The name, address, and telephone number of the person designated under 40 CFR part 763.84 to ensure that the duties of the local education agency are carried out must appear in the management plan (40 CFR part…

  • Last published: March 15, 2024

• Are schools supposed to notify parents if their child attends a school that has asbestos in it?

  Yes. The asbestos-containing materials in schools rule, pursuant to the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), requires local education agencies (e.g., school districts) to notify building workers (including teachers) and parents annually regarding asbestos-related activities such as asbestos inspections, and response actions (abatement). The local education agency must also annually…

  • Last published: March 15, 2024

• Does my school district know where the asbestos in its school buildings is located?

  They are required to know and to describe where the material is located in the asbestos management plan, and also to monitor and record any change in its condition that might pose a potential safety risk. Other Frequent Questions about Asbestos Learn About Asbestos Asbestos and School Buildings Information for…

  • Last published: March 15, 2024

• Are the school district's administrative offices (such as the Board of Education or the Superintendent's Office) covered by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), even if students never attend classes in these buildings?

  Yes. Among the structures covered in the definition of “school building” in AHERA (section 202) and in the asbestos in schools rule (40 CFR part 763.83) are "... any other facility used for the instruction or housing of students or for the administration of education or research programs." Other Frequent…

  • Last published: March 15, 2024

• Are private for-profit schools included under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)?

  No. Private for-profit schools are not covered under AHERA. This is a statutory exemption. Other Frequent Questions about Asbestos Learn About Asbestos Asbestos and School Buildings Information for Owners and Managers of Buildings that Contain Asbestos Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos Asbestos Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation

  • Last published: March 21, 2024

• Does cutting hatchways into ceilings where small amounts of asbestos is disturbed for purposes of mounting fire alarm components in a school fall within the scope of small-scale, short-duration activities under the Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan?

  Yes, if the activity is required in the performance of an emergency or routine maintenance activity not intended solely as an asbestos abatement. Additionally, such work must be done and contained in a single prefabricated mini-enclosure (Appendix C to 40 CFR part 763, subpart E). Other Frequent Questions about Asbestos…

  • Last published: March 21, 2024

• Who is responsible, the school or the landlord, for complying with AHERA?

  A public school district leases space from a non-school group (e.g., corporation, YMCA, etc.) to use as a school building. The local education agency (LEA) is responsible for complying with the rule. Under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) section 202(7), the following are LEAs: “the public authority legally…

  • Last published: March 21, 2024

• 40 CFR part 763.92(a)(1) and (2) of the asbestos-containing materials in schools rule refer to 2-hour training and 14-hour training. Where can the workers receive this training?

  EPA anticipates that local education agencies (LEAs) will use a variety of resources to train custodial staff. Private consultants, LEA staff, local colleges and labor groups are potential sources of instructors for O&M training. 40 CFR part 763.94(c) of the asbestos in schools rule requires LEAs to keep specific information…

  • Last published: March 21, 2024

• How should the periodic surveillance results be documented pursuant to the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)? How detailed does the information have to be and what constitutes adequate records?

  40 CFR part 763.94(d) of the asbestos in schools rule pursuant to the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires local education agencies (LEAs) to “record the name of each person performing the [periodic] surveillance, the date of the surveillance, and any changes in the conditions of the materials.” A…

  • Last published: April 4, 2024

• How soon must a local education agency (LEA) inspect a school leased or acquired after October 12, 1988 that is to be used as a school building?

  An LEA must inspect such a building anytime prior to its use as a school building. In the event that emergency use of an uninspected school building is necessitated such buildings shall be inspected 30 days after commencement of such use. (40 CFR part 763.85(a)(2)) Other Frequent Questions about Asbestos…

  • Last published: April 4, 2024

• Under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), does the recommendation that the management planner provides to the local education agency (LEA) need to include a date for implementation of the response action?

  No. However, the management plan must include a schedule for completing the response actions. (40 CFR part 763.93(e)(6)) Accordingly, the dates of implementation can be discussed between the management planner and the LEA. Other Frequent Questions about Asbestos Learn About Asbestos Asbestos and School Buildings Information for Owners and Managers…

  • Last published: April 10, 2024

• Under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), can someone collect more than five samples inside the asbestos abatement site and pick the best of the results for the clearance test?

  No. An equal number of samples must be taken inside and outside the asbestos abatement site for clearance. The minimum number is five inside and five outside (40 CFR part 763.90(i)(3)). The asbestos-containing materials in schools rule does not prohibit the collection of more than five samples inside and an…

  • Last published: April 22, 2024

• Who is responsible for overseeing the asbestos-in-schools regulations?

  EPA is the primary governmental agency responsible for enforcing the regulations promulgated under AHERA. However, if your State has been issued a "waiver" (or delegation of program authority), the State agency then becomes responsible for enforcing these requirements. The states that currently have waiver programs are: Connecticut, Colorado, Louisiana, Massachusetts…

  • Last published: April 22, 2024