Tucson Charter Schools Receive Fines from EPA

Seven Tucson charter schools have been ordered to pay more than $67,000 in fines after the EPA determined they violated the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act.

The EPA began investigating the schools in May 2006 and over the course of their investigation found that school officials failed to conduct asbestos inspections or create asbestos management plans.

According to the EPA, the seven schools have now implemented the appropriate measures and are in full compliance. Asbestos contamination has caused numerous schools to close for renovations or in some cases be vacated altogether.

Asbestos is not considered dangerous if it is intact but schools built before asbestos was phased out can create problems with their aging infrastructure.