You can now track asbestos remediation in Philly schools

Why it matters: School officials have struggled to protect children from environmental concerns, including asbestos and lead, that have long plagued district schools.

• Inhaling or being exposed to asbestos can increase risks of developing health issues, including certain cancers.

State of play: The school district has an estimated $5 billion maintenance backlog, and the average age of Philly school buildings is more than 70 years old.

How it works: The dashboard maps asbestos remediation projects at specific schools and where the work was performed in them. It also tracks planned completion dates and other information.

• The dashboard uses notification forms for asbestos projects through the Department of Public Health, which is updated daily.