Thousands of U.S. schools still contain asbestos – the fiber that can cause mesothelioma – and there are no plans to remove it, according to the EPA.  Although the mineral fiber asbestos, long used in insulation and other industrial applications, is widely recognized as posing a public health hazard, the Environmental Protection Agency says removing it from the nation’s aging schools can pose a greater risk than ‘managing it in place.’ Exposure to airborne asbestos fibers have been linked to lung cancer,mesothelioma and asbestosis. A 2001 report written by the American Federation of Teachers focused on the occupational health and safety issues of public school employees in large urban areas.  They concluded that crumbling school infrastructure and crowded classrooms are associated … Continue reading U.S. Schools ‘Managing’ Asbestos »