Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that has been used widely in construction materials, such as roofing and siding shingles, pipe and boiler insulation, and floor and ceiling tiles.

US EPA's asbestos program for schools (AHERA) and its guidance for other building owners is founded on the principle of "in-place" management of asbestos containing materials.

The rules implementing AHERA are published in the Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 40, Part 763, Subpart E. The AHERA rules require local education agencies to take actions to: 

• Perform an original inspection and re-inspection every three years of asbestos-containing material;
  Originals are maintained at the Environmental Compliance Department

• Develop, maintain, and update an asbestos management plan and keep a copy at the school;
  Copies are maintained on the Environmental Collaboration Site

• Provide yearly notification to parent, teacher, and employee organizations regarding the availability of the school's asbestos management plan and any asbestos abatement actions taken or planned in the school;
  Refer to Annual Asbestos Notification

• Designate a contact person to ensure the responsibilities of the local education agency are properly implemented;
  The Director of Environmental Compliance is the designated contact person and ensures the responsibilities of the LEA are properly implemented

• Perform periodic surveillance of known or suspected asbestos-containing building material;
  Environmental Compliance performs surveillance inspections every 6 months with active asbestos management plans

• Ensure that properly-accredited professionals perform inspections and response actions and prepare management plans; and
  Environmental Compliance contracts with a Licensed Asbestos Consultant to perform re-inspections

• Provide custodial and Facilities Maintenance staff with asbestos-awareness training;
  Environmental Compliance provides asbestos-awareness training