Asbestos Regulations

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA, Public Law 99-5190), enacted in October 1986, required the United States Environmental Protection Agency to develop regulations that provide a comprehensive framework for addresssing problems in schools. On Oct. 30, 1987, the EPA published the Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule (40 CFR Part 763 Subpart E). This rule required all public and private schools to inspect for management plans that address asbestos hazards in school buildings and implement response actions in a timely fashion.

The Webster Groves School District recognizes that the presence of asbestos-containing building materials in schools constitutes a potential hazard to human health and the environment. Therefore, the prevention of exposure to asbestos fibers at any level is a matter of concern to the district and the school community, requiring the implementation of a carefully planned and thorough program to safeguard school children and personnel. This includes assessment of the potential hazard; application of recautions designed to prevent exposure to asbestos fibers and systematic abatement of asbestos-containing materials.

A reinspection of all district school buildings is performed periodically to comply with the rules and regulations of the EPA. A report on the condition of each building and the location of asbestos-containing material is available at each building site.