EPA Fines Several Tucson Schools for Asbestos Violations

By Alison Gonzalez

Published on August 10, 2007

Six schools, which include Pima Partnership School, Transformational Learning Center, Alternative Computerized Education Charter High School, Tucson Urban League Academy, Calli Ollin Academy, and City High School, were found by EPA inspectors to have violated the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act back in May 2006.

According to the EPA, the schools failed to comply with federal asbestos laws, which state that schools must conduct initial asbestos inspections on campus and develop asbestos-management plans to address any asbestos that is found.

Later, EPA investigators found asbestos in the schools.

Three other schools -- the Southside Community School, Toltecali Academy, and Hiaki High School -- were also fined for violating EPA regulations, although no asbestos was found on any of the campuses.

Since then, all of the schools have taken actions in accordance with the law and are now asbestos-free. Schools were able to subtract from their fines the costs resulting from compliance with the regulations.

The EPA requires schools and businesses to have their own asbestos-management plans because many older buildings were constructed with asbestos-containing materials.

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