News Summary
The School District of Philadelphia has made history by becoming the first in the U.S. to face criminal charges for failing to protect students and staff from asbestos exposure. Following a five-year investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice has filed eight counts against the district due to violations of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. Serious concerns have been raised regarding the management of asbestos, leading to increased funding for safety measures and a deferred prosecution agreement aimed at improving compliance over the next five years.
Philadelphia – On July 1, 2025, the School District of Philadelphia made history as the first school district in the United States to face criminal charges for failing to protect students and staff from asbestos exposure. This unprecedented development follows a comprehensive five-year investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The criminal charges stem from allegations that the district violated the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), which mandates strict regulations for managing asbestos in schools. It has been revealed that nearly 300 of the district’s 339 school buildings are known to contain asbestos. The charges specifically allege that between June 2018 and April 2023, the district neglected to properly inspect, report, and remediate dangerous asbestos conditions in at least 31 schools.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed eight criminal counts against the School District of Philadelphia. These proceedings include a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) that may allow the district to avoid permanent criminal charges if it meets certain compliance conditions over a five-year period. The DPA requires the district to improve its inspection and remediation processes for asbestos, with federal monitoring to enforce adherence to safety protocols.
During investigations, hazardous instances were uncovered, including the improper management of asbestos, where duct tape was used to patch damaged areas as a temporary solution. Some Philadelphia schools have faced closures due to detected asbestos in classrooms and hallways, raising severe concerns among parents and the community regarding health risks associated with asbestos exposure.
The district’s budget allocation for environmental management has seen a significant increase, rising from $10.2 million in 2021 to $55.7 million in 2025, in an effort to improve compliance with AHERA. Despite these financial steps, inspections revealed that the district failed to conduct mandated inspections at critical schools, such as William Meredith Elementary and Frankford High School.
Health experts have underscored the serious implications of asbestos exposure, linking it to diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, which can manifest 20 to 50 years after initial exposure. The ongoing risk has led to previous legal settlements, including an $850,000 payment to a teacher diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure within the school environment. This alarming precedent has heightened calls for accountability in managing environmental safety within school districts.
In response to the investigation findings, district Superintendent Tony Watlington emphasized the commitment to enhancing safety measures and acknowledged the progress made in the asbestos management program. The DPA includes stipulations that a judge must approve the agreement, ensuring that federal oversight will enforce compliance with the agreed safety measures.
The landmark criminal charges against the School District of Philadelphia represent a turning point in addressing asbestos safety within educational institutions. The ramifications of this case may set a precedent for other school districts across the nation, signaling a possible rise in scrutiny regarding their asbestos management practices and the health and safety of students and staff.
As the district prepares to navigate the implications of the DPA, regular training for workers on asbestos management is set to be implemented as part of the agreement, with a focus on preventing further health risks and ensuring a safer educational environment.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Philadelphia School District Faces Criminal Charges Over Asbestos Violations
Philadelphia School District Faces Criminal Charges for Asbestos Violations
Philadelphia School District Faces Federal Charges for Asbestos Violations
Additional Resources
- K12 Dive: Philadelphia School District Monitoring Agreement
- NBC Philadelphia: Philadelphia School District Charges
- Fox 29: Philadelphia School District Criminal Charges
- Sokolo Law: Criminal Charges for Asbestos in Philadelphia Schools
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Asbestos
