A. The legislature finds and declares that:
(1) Asbestos-containing materials were used in elementary and secondary schools within the state for fireproofing, soundproofing, thermal insulation, decorative, and other purposes.
(2) Asbestos and asbestiform materials are potentially hazardous to the public health.
(3) Asbestos-containing materials in a friable condition can cause building airborne exposures to far exceed background ambient levels and then pose a potential health hazard.
(4) In view of the fact that the state of Louisiana 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 friable asbestos-containing materials is of concern to the legislature.
B. Therefore, the legislature enacts this Chapter to provide for the identification and abatement of those friable-containing materials in schools that may pose an unreasonable risk to students and school personnel.