The School District of Jenkintown

AHERA Yearly Notification

September 2011

Dear Parents, Teachers, Building Occupants, and Employee Organizations:

In accordance with federal regulations, please be advised the Asbestos Management Plan is available for inspection at the Jenkintown School District Administrative office located in the Link. Please contact Mr. Zorian Dubenko, Business Manager, if you would like to make an appointment to review the Management Plan, during regular business hours.

In the past, asbestos was used extensively in building materials because of its insulating, sound absorbing, and fire retarding capabilities. Virtually any building constructed before the late 1970s contained some asbestos. Intact and undisturbed asbestos materials generally do not pose a health risk. Asbestos materials, however, can become hazardous when, due to damage or deterioration over time, they release fibers. If the fibers are inhaled, they can lead to health problems, such as cancer and asbestosis.

In 1986, Congress passed the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) which requires schools to be inspected to identify any asbestos containing building materials. Suspected asbestos containing building materials were found in the Jenkintown School District buildings, sampled and rated according to condition and potential hazard. Every three years, The Jenkintown School District has conducted reinspections to determine whether the condition of the known or assumed asbestos containing building materials (ACBM) has changed.

The Jenkintown School District developed a plan, as required, which has been continually updated. The management Plan is a site specific document that the Jenkintown School District’s must follow in managing the asbestos containing building material (ACBM). As a result of the recent addition and alteration project, many asbestos containing materials have been removed. The plan establishes procedures designed to minimize the disturbance of asbestos containing building materials; and survey the condition of these materials every six months to assure that they remain in good condition. At the last reinspection conducted on August 9, 2011, all materials listed in the Management Plan as asbestos containing (or assumed to be asbestos-containing) were inspected and found to be in good condition, with the exception of certain insulation and various floor tiles in the boiler room storage area which are damaged and located in an area which cannot be accessed and does not represent a hazard to building occupants.

It is the intention of Jenkintown School District to comply with all federal and state regulations controlling asbestos and to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure students and employees a healthy and safe environment in which to learn and work. Mike Panepresso of Criterion Laboratories is our designed asbestos program coordinator, and all inquiries regarding the asbestos plan and asbestos-related issues should be directed to him at 215-244-1300 extension 26.

You can download a copy of the notice here.