A new investigative report has shown that there are alarmingly high levels of asbestos in schools, on surfaces including gym floors, cafeterias, hallways, and classrooms.

An investigative report recently released by the Philadelphia Inquirer shows that levels of asbestos in schools are alarmingly high.

The report, which tested 84 surfaces in 11 of the city’s elementary schools, showed asbestos in schools and on a variety of surfaces including gym floors, cafeterias, hallways, classrooms, and auditoriums. Nine of the eleven schools tested had elevated asbestos levels in areas accessed by students.

In six of the schools, more than 100,000 asbestos fibers were found per square centimeter. The highest level of asbestos fibers were found in a floor near an insulated pipe in a hallway. The area, which underwent asbestos remediation last fall, had 8.5 million fibers per square centimeter. Experts say that this level of asbestos in schools is cause for alarm.

The school district’s last full asbestos inspection was in 2015-2016. The inspection showed that more than 80 percent of schools showed damaged asbestos in more than 2,000 locations. While asbestos repairs were made in some schools, fibers were still left behind.

Damages asbestos in schools can pose a serious health threat. The report shows that damages asbestos floor tiles may pose a large threat. In a school hallway full of damaged asbestos floor tiles, there were 1.9 million fibers per square centimeter.

The city of Philadelphia has strict rules on asbestos removal, but a waiver is allowed if tiles are undamaged and can be removed intact. This process involved fewer safeguards, and therefore less cost, but may not be as effective.

Officials for the school district question the validity of the sampling process, but The Inquirer said that independent experts have validated their results. This year, the district has budgeted more than $5 million to repair asbestos in schools.

Asbestos fibers pose a serious health risk to the student in the Philadelphia schools. When asbestos materials are moved, small asbestos fibers are released into the air where they can be swallowed and inhaled. The dispersed fibers can also become stuck to clothing and be brought home which causes secondhand asbestos exposure.

According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos fibers are difficult for the body to expel and can accumulate in the lungs. This can cause scarring and inflammation, which increases the risks of cancer including lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer linked to asbestos.

In children with developing lungs, damage from asbestos fibers can be devastating and cause serious health problems down the road. Adults such as teachers and school administrators are also at risk from asbestos in schools. The levels of asbestos in schools are certainly cause for alarm.

If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos and later developed serious conditions such as lung cancer or mesothelioma, you may be eligible for legal action. An asbestos in schools lawsuit could help hold responsible parties accountable for asbestos exposure. A lawsuit could help recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.