FOF Coalition: $100 Million Needed NOW for Lead, Asbestos

Mesothelioma can be caused by long-term exposure to microscopic asbestos fibers, which exist in many of Philadelphia’s school buildings. Coalition members are quick to point out that there’s no definitive proof that the teacher was infected by her school building.

“But,” said PFT President Jerry Jordan, “The fact that we must seriously consider the possibility that the building is the culprit should alarm each one of us. This is a systemic issue with urgent needs that we must address. Disturbed asbestos has been observed and reported in schools across the district.”

Jordan announced that the PFT plans to work with the union’s environmental scientist and medical professionals to begin an investigation into potential cancer clusters in Philadelphia schools.

Coalition partner Rep. Brian Sims, one of many Coalition members at today’s press conference, added, “We’re talking about making sure that lead paint isn’t flaking off the ceiling onto children. We’re talking about making sure that fiberglass and mold aren’t attacking the health and safety of 10-year-olds. We’re talking about making sure that asbestos–one of the most dangerous compounds to human exposure– isn’t killing our kids, isn’t killing our neighbors and isn’t killing our educators.”

More from Fund Our Facilities Coalition members on today’s press conference and the call for an immediate $100 million investment:

State Senator Larry Farnese (SD1):
“The teachers who give their lives in the service of educating our young people should not be risking their lives when they go to work. This $100 million is desperately needed to protect educators and students, and we cannot delay.”

State Senator Tina Tartaglione (SD2):
“Picture this: you have a child in grade school. Their lungs are still developing. And they’re exposed to asbestos. We are doing that every single day that our children go to an elementary school, a middle school, or a high school. Our teachers have to be in that classroom. We can’t let this happen. One case means we have to check every single school and remediate it.”

Representative Elizabeth Fiedler (HD184):
“Our children and teachers are at risk of getting sick and dying prematurely because of the toxic lead and asbestos that surround them in school. This is injustice and cruelty, and it can not stand.”

Councilmember Mark Squilla (Council District 1):
“The students, faculty, and staff in our schools deserve to be in healthy environments that are free from toxins and conducive to learning. I support funding to remediate asbestos and lead in every school and am committed to working with my Coalition partners to fight for and find an immediate influx of this sorely needed investment.”

Councilmember Derek Green, At-Large:
“Learning about the teacher being diagnosed with this disease strikes me in a very personal way. This is something that is urgent. This is an issue that pains me as a parent, as the child of a retired PFT member of 30 years. This coalition has come together to work on this critical and urgent issue.”

Councilmember Helen Gym, At-Large:
“Our crumbling schools are the result of generations of divestment in low-income communities, particularly communities of color, which are disproportionately impacted by lead poisoning and asthma. We can change that. A school’s staff and students know the building’s problems better than anyone else, and their health and safety should be the driving force behind our investments.”

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