Nov 12, 2021 - News

You can now track asbestos remediation in Philly schools

A screenshot of a map detailing asbestos abatement projects in the Philadelphia School District since 2016.

A map detailing asbestos abatement projects in the Philadelphia School District since 2016. Map courtesy of the City Controller's Office

Is asbestos remediation going on in your Philly school?

What's happening: The city launched a new interactive dashboard this week, and you can search all construction projects involving asbestos in the school district dating back to 2016.

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.
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