WHEREAS:

Any exposure to asbestos has been shown to increase the likelihood of lung cancer, mesothelioma, cancers of the colon, rectum, stomach, esophagus, kidney, larynx, and pharynx as well as asbestosis; and

WHEREAS:

The existing OSHA standard on occupational exposure to asbestos of 2 fibers per cubic centimeter of air (2 f/cc TWA) is not adequate and permits far too high a level of exposure to the deadly fibers. This standard was enacted years ago with particular reference to conditions in asbestos production and construction, when the potential hazards from lower levels of exposure, such as those of office workers, were not realized as clearly as they are today; and

WHEREAS:

The Asbestos School Hazard Detection and Control Act, which required every school in this country to inspect for asbestos, with the results posted and reported to the Parent Teacher Associations and worker representatives, has not been complied with by at least two-thirds of this nation's schools; and

WHEREAS:

Over 3.2 million school children and 648,000 school employees across the nation have possibly been exposed to asbestos, and children are, most vulnerable to asbestos-related disease; and

WHEREAS:

It will cost over $1.4 billion to remove asbestos from the approximately 14,000 public and private schools that contain the substance, according to a Department of Education study; and

WHEREAS:

No federal funding is presently available for inspection or abatement of asbestos hazards in schools; and

WHEREAS:

There is no federal regulation requiring the removal, encapsulation or enclosure of asbestos in schools, no matter how hazardous it may be to children and workers and only 20 states have any kind of law covering the inspection or abatement of asbestos hazards in schools; and

WHEREAS:

The Environmental Protection Agency has neither the staff nor the funding to even enforce the feeble asbestos regulations now on the books, much less the total abatement of asbestos hazards in the schools; and

WHEREAS:

The abatement of asbestos hazards is often done in such a sloppy, piecemeal fashion by uncertified, fly-by-night companies that often make the situation more hazardous than before; and

WHEREAS:

No regulation exists for the inspection or abatement of asbestos hazards in other public buildings — libraries, office buildings, hospitals or universities — where millions of public employees and the public are exposed to asbestos.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME locals and councils work to pass state legislation requiring the safe abatement of asbestos hazards by certified companies and the funding of such abatement; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urges Congress to allocate funding for the safe abatement of asbestos hazards in schools and public buildings and urges the EPA to quickly issue strong regulations requiring the inspection of all public buildings and the abatement of asbestos hazards, and that employees of companies doing these inspections be union members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That mandatory safe-work practices must be implemented during all renovation, removal, or encapsulation work. All workers who may be exposed during renovation or removal work, not just those who do the removal, must be provided with health and safety training related to asbestos; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urges Congress and state legislatures to enact laws that compensate workers for occupational diseases acquired from exposure to asbestos and other toxic materials on the job; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals educate their members and the public about the hazards of asbestos in public buildings.

SUBMITTED BY:

Sue Pusbach, President, Certified Delegate
OAPSE/AFSCME Local 4
Columbus, Ohio

Marion Porro, President and Delegate
Local 1930, Council 37
New York, New York