-December 18, 2007
According to reports, the Environmental Protection Agency has cited several schools throughout Maryland for asbestos-related violations numerous times from 2001 to 2006.
The number of citations received in various districts increased from one per year to 16 within six years.
EPA Expresses Concerns About Citations
The 16 actions that were filed between 2001 and 2006 allegedly involved different campuses from small private schools to larger school systems.
If actions aren't taken immediately regarding the citations, the schools may be forced to pay $6, 500 for every day the facility is not compliant with the codes.
The EPA has been doing routine inspections at the school to ensure that the asbestos problems are being taken care of.
EPA officials claim that the inspections are done randomly and in some cases, school officials aren't forewarned.
Students and Teachers at Risk
Many faculty members, parents and students are growing concerned about the exposed asbestos problems.
Although officials in some school districts say the amount of asbestos in the schools are minimal and potentially harmless, many still believe they are being put at risk.
“Bottom line, it's a carcinogen and none of it is a safe level of exposure,” explains Mardel Knight, the head of Maryland's asbestos inspection unit.
Asbestos Removal Costly
Removing asbestos from schools can be a costly endeavor and many fear that money is the reason why many buildings have gotten to this point.
“There is no denying that it is labor-consuming, time-consuming and expensive, but you don't want to question the worth and put a child or building occupant in danger,” explains Kathy Dempsey, a spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Washington.
(Source: Hometown Annapolis)
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