Illinois Code § 2

§ 2.

Legislative declaration. The General Assembly finds that: (a) substantial amounts of asbestos materials were used throughout school buildings during the period from 1946 to 1972 for fireproofing, soundproofing, decorative and other purposes; (b) exposure to asbestos fibers and particles in the air over a long period of time has been linked by reputable medical and scientific authorities to a significant increase in the incidence of disease, such as asbestosis, bronchogenic carcinoma, mesothelioma, and other malignancies; (c) precise scientific data as to the levels at which asbestos materials constitute a hazard to health in educational settings are not yet available and may not be available for many years to come because of the long period of time which elapses between the onset of exposure and the appearance of clinically detectable illness; however, mesothelioma has been found among individuals exposed to asbestos in some nonoccupational settings; and (d) in view of the fact that the State of Illinois has compulsory attendance laws for children of school age and these children must be educated in a safe and healthy environment, the presence and condition of asbestos in the schools is of special concern to the General Assembly. Therefore, it is the purpose of this Act to provide for the identification, containment or removal of those asbestos materials that constitute a significant health hazard and repair or maintenance of those asbestos materials that do not constitute a significant health hazard in schools to students, school personnel, parents and visitors to such schools, and to provide financial assistance to elementary and secondary schools within this State as provided by law. (Source: P.A. 84-1096.)