The New York City Comptroller's Office recently conducted an audit and made a troubling discovery. The audit revealed that the New York City Department of Education (DOE) failed to carry out mandated asbestos inspections in over 82% of the city's public-school buildings known to have been built with the dangerous mineral. Because of this, many teachers, staff, and students have been unknowingly exposed to asbestos for several years, putting them at a high risk of developing mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive cancer.
Asbestos is no longer commonly used in the United States of America. However, many old school buildings still contain asbestos in insulation, floor tiles, ceiling materials, and other building components. This is because most schools were built before the use of asbestos became regulated. Teachers, staff, and students in these schools are at a significant risk of mesothelioma. The federal government recognized this potential danger and enacted the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). This Act requires schools built using asbestos-contaminated materials to be inspected every three years, with additional periodic checks to monitor their condition.
Unfortunately, despite this clear legal requirement, the Comptroller's office found that the NYC DOE only inspected a small fraction of the roughly 1,700 public school buildings known to have asbestos. The audit found that over the most recent three-year period (i.e., between 2021 and 2024), the DOE conducted between 200 and 250 inspections. More than 82% of the schools were not inspected as required between 2021 and 2024. The audit also found that only 22% of the schools that received an initial inspection were subjected to the legally mandated and necessary follow-up inspections.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander called out the NYC Department of Education for failing to address asbestos risks in schools. The Comptroller called out the DOE for failing to follow the minimum national standard for asbestos management for years, putting children at risk of developing mesothelioma. Lander emphasized that when it comes to protecting children, NYC must follow the rules designed to protect them from known hazards like asbestos. He made it clear that this is not optional.
The Department of Education responded to the audit by acknowledging its shortcomings and stating that it plans to formally request asbestos inspectors and abatement professionals to help carry out the necessary inspections. However, the unfortunate reality is that these corrective steps come too late for those who may have already suffered asbestos exposure. While they may not have already developed mesothelioma, there is a high chance that they could still develop the illness. Mesothelioma can take decades to develop after initial asbestos exposure, and unfortunately, by the time symptoms appear, the disease is often advanced and difficult to treat. The delayed onset of mesothelioma symptoms makes early prevention through regular inspections crucial.
Arizona Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced Arizona mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment.
