New and Noteworthy from The Gothamist, original article by Catalina Gonella
A recent audit by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander has revealed that the Department of Education (DOE) failed to inspect 82% of the city's schools containing asbestos over a three-year period. This non-compliance with the federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) raises significant health concerns for students and staff.
AHERA mandates that schools with asbestos-containing materials undergo inspections on a set schedule. However, the audit found that since 1997, the DOE conducted only 11% of the required triennial inspections. From March 2021 to March 2024, only 257 out of 1,431 schools with known asbestos were inspected, representing just 18% compliance. Additionally, between May 2023 and April 2024, only 22% of the necessary six-month periodic inspections were completed.
Comptroller Lander emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "The education department has stunningly failed to follow the minimum national standard for asbestos management for years." He urged the Adams Administration to take "swift action" to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
The audit also highlighted that Brooklyn had both the highest number of schools with asbestos and the lowest rate of compliance.
In response to the audit, the DOE acknowledged the shortcomings and agreed to implement all nine recommendations proposed by the Comptroller's Office. These include increasing awareness of asbestos regulations among school officials, developing comprehensive policies for asbestos management, and establishing a robust record-keeping system to ensure accountability.
DOE spokesperson Nicole Brownstein stated, "The New York City Public Schools works every day to keep students safe, protected, and healthy in our schools, and we look forward to continuing these comprehensive efforts."
Ensuring the safety of educational environments is paramount. It is imperative that the DOE follows through on these commitments to protect the health and well-being of all students and staff.
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Gothamist Article:
https://gothamist.com/news/82-of-nyc-schools-with-asbestos-didnt-get-required-inspections-comptroller-says