Washington, D.C. —  Students, faculty and staff in Chicago schools may be at risk of exposure to deadly asbestos fibers, according to inspection records analyzed by EWG Action Fund. Chicago Public Schools records show that in 2013, inspectors contracted by the district found friable asbestos that was damaged or showed the potential for damage in 184 public elementary, middle and high schools throughout the city. Inspectors recommended the asbestos be removed or repaired to alleviate possible exposure risks, but to date, almost all of the identified asbestos remains in place.

“Friable” refers to asbestos that can be easily crumbled by hand or contact, and if damaged could become airborne and inhaled or swallowed. Health officials and scientists agree that inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers can cause cancer or other lung diseases whose symptoms may not show up for decades. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure.

All told, inspectors found asbestos that damaged or had the potential for damage in 1,174 locations throughout Chicago’s schools. In over 600 locations throughout the 184 schools, inspectors recommended that friable asbestos that was damaged or had the potential for damage be repaired or removed. But according to the district’s latest asbestos surveillance update in fall 2015, only 11 schools had complied with the recommendations.

to read the full report and see the interactive map of the schools of concern, click here: 

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