The School District of Philadelphia has become the first in the United States to face criminal charges for violating federal asbestos safety laws, sending a clear signal about ending the risk of mesothelioma from educational environments. Asbestos in school buildings has been blamed for asbestos-related diseases in several Philadelphia teachers, as well as in school building staff across the country.
Failure to Inspect, Remediate, & Report Asbestos Risks Mesothelioma
Asbestos presents a real danger of mesothelioma and other illnesses in those exposed to it, and occupational exposure in aging school buildings is a significant problem. Regulations have been established to address the issue, but their protections are only effective when they are complied with. A comprehensive five-year investigation conducted by federal agencies including the Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigations Division, and the Environmental Crimes Section found that the districted failed to properly inspect, remediate, and report damaged asbestos in multiple city schools. This led to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania filing its charges.
The district allegedly violated the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), which requires schools to conduct formal asbestos inspections every three years and surveillance inspections every six months in order to minimize the exposure that’s already been linked to mesothelioma in Philadelphia school teachers. Federal law mandates that school districts maintain safe environments free from airborne toxins and respond promptly to asbestos damage reports, but 31 Philadelphia school buildings experienced asbestos problems between April 2015 and November 2023. In some, the contamination was so severe that schools had to be closed permanently. Investigators discovered instances where damaged asbestos was improperly addressed, including the disturbing practice of covering it with duct tape.
District Accepts Responsibility for Mesothelioma Risk and Agrees to Monitoring
In response to the charges, the district agreed to a historic agreement that allowed it to waive a grand jury indictment while accepting responsibility for the violations that risked mesothelioma in its students and staff. Its terms say that federal courts will monitor the district’s compliance for approximately five years, and if all requirements are met, criminal charges may be dropped; failure to comply could result in criminal sanctions.
To address their new requirements and provide greater protection against asbestos-related diseases, the district has tripled its environmental management budget from $10.2 million in fiscal year 2021 to $55.7 million in 2025. All district-owned buildings now receive biannual inspections, and the district has increased transparency by posting inspection reports publicly and holding community meetings about asbestos management.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma after being negligently exposed to asbestos, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
