Putnam County Schools create an updated asbestos management plan, including a three-year reinspection of school facilities.
Facilities Manager John Magura said the work is part of ongoing compliance with the federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. It requires school systems to routinely monitor asbestos-containing materials. Magura said asbestos has been identified in the floor tile at five school locations across the district. However, he said that the presence of asbestos does not automatically pose a danger.
“It becomes unsafe if it’s friable, and that’s considered airborne, but since all our floor tile is waxed and or has a secondary product over it, it’s considered safe,” Magura said.
Magura said many people often confuse the dangers of asbestos. Magura said that inspections have been conducted regularly over the years, and this estimated agreement continues that process rather than introducing something new.
“This is just a continuation of what we’ve done for multiple years,” Magura said. “We just have to come in and re-inspect and make sure that none of the materials that were in place have been impacted, and if they were, was proper documentation accumulated and sent to the authorities so that we can keep up with where we have asbestos or where asbestos has been removed from our buildings.”
Schools with asbestos tile include Avery Trace, Cornerstone Elementary, Jere Whitson Elementary, Sycamore Elementary, and the White Plains Academy Vital Building.
While an exact start date has not been set, Magura said inspections are expected to begin within the next few months. Magura said that because previous assessments have already identified where asbestos is located, the process is expected to move efficiently.
The approved contract totals $12,000, a figure Magura said was a fair price.
Magura said the inspections are an important step in maintaining safe learning environments while remaining compliant with federal regulations.