Years after a Philadelphia teacher was diagnosed with mesothelioma and another is battling cancer, the Philadelphia Board of Education is negotiating with the U.S. Department of Justice over asbestos management. Though this issue is taking place in Philadelphia, it highlights the risk affecting thousands of students, teachers, and staff across the country’s aging buildings.
Philadelphia’s Aging School Buildings Present Mesothelioma Risk
While today we know that asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma and other serious and deadly diseases, it was once a popular building material that was commonly used in administrative and public buildings. In Philadelphia, school buildings average 73 years old, and approximately 300 school buildings contain asbestos-containing materials. Though the district has temporarily or partially closed several schools for asbestos abatement, the potential for exposure remains a concern.
The potential for mesothelioma and other diseases has become a reality in Philadelphia’s school community in recent years. One longtime teacher was diagnosed with mesothelioma years ago, and another recently filed a lawsuit against the district after being diagnosed with cancer following years of work at Frankford High School. That school was closed in 2023 for asbestos remediation.
Philadelphia’s Ongoing Asbestos and Mesothelioma Crisis
To prevent mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in faculty, building staff, and students, federal regulations require school districts across the country to regularly inspect schools and maintain asbestos management plans. In Philadelphia, the district needs approximately $5 billion to make structural fixes. Amid general budget limitations, the situation has created a dangerous tension between safety measures and available resources.
The Philadelphia School District has taken several steps aimed at protecting against asbestos and the mesothelioma risk it presents. These measures have included requiring detailed inspection reports and “swing space” plans to relocate students and staff when asbestos is identified. However, an ongoing Department of Justice investigation suggests these efforts may be insufficient to protect the health of faculty, students, and staff. A board meeting that was meant to address an impending agreement with the Department of Justice on how to address the situation was recently canceled, as the two sides had not yet finalized an agreement.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
