Asbestos, once praised for durability and fireproofing, remains a hidden health hazard decades after its primary industrial use declined. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural thickening, and pleural effusion. Even though asbestos is now heavily regulated, and as of 2024, many uses of chrysotile asbestos are banned, older buildings, infrastructure, and industrial legacies across Pennsylvania continue to pose exposure risks. Below is a more current look (as of 2025) at some key locations in Pennsylvania with documented asbestos concerns.
- Philadelphia:
Philadelphia, as one of Pennsylvania’s largest cities, has a long industrial history that makes it particularly susceptible to asbestos exposure. Many old buildings, including residential, commercial, and industrial structures, still contain asbestos in various forms. Renovation and demolition projects pose a significant risk, as the disturbance of asbestos-containing materials can release fibers into the air.
Philadelphia continues to contend with asbestos liability in its aging public-school buildings. In 2025, federal prosecutors filed criminal charges against the School District of Philadelphia for failing to properly inspect damaged asbestos in eight schools, violating federal law.
- Pittsburgh:
Pittsburgh, known for its steel industry and historical significance, also faces challenges related to asbestos exposure. Similar to Philadelphia, numerous older buildings and industrial sites in Pittsburgh contain asbestos. Furthermore, the city’s industrial past has left behind a legacy of asbestos-related contamination in soil and water sources.
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A 2025 study highlighted that many school buildings across Pennsylvania—including in Pittsburgh—have environmental hazards (mold, asbestos, lead), and that districts have been slow to remediate them.
- Scranton:
Scranton, a smaller city in northeastern Pennsylvania, has a history deeply intertwined with mining and manufacturing. Asbestos was commonly used in mining operations, and its presence in older structures and industrial sites poses a persistent risk. As with other cities, demolition and renovation projects remain a significant concern.
In 2025, the EPA reached a settlement with the Scranton School District over asbestos violations: the district had allegedly failed to maintain updated asbestos management plans in multiple schools and omitted required plan elements in others.
- Allentown:
Allentown, a rapidly growing city in the Lehigh Valley region, faces its own asbestos exposure challenges. Aging infrastructure and buildings constructed before asbestos regulations took effect pose risks to both residents and workers involved in renovation and construction projects.
A significant asbestos exposure incident occurred during the rehabilitation of a historic building in Allentown’s downtown district. The discovery of deteriorating asbestos-containing materials necessitated emergency measures to protect the workers and prevent further fiber dispersion. Under the 2024 state funding program, that will progress into 2025, Allentown will receive a grant for asbestos remediation in its public schools.
Conclusion:
Asbestos exposure remains a significant concern in various cities and towns across Pennsylvania in 2025. While regulations and awareness have improved over the years, the ongoing presence of asbestos-containing materials in older structures continues to pose health risks. Efforts must focus on proper identification, safe handling, and the implementation of effective remediation measures to protect both current and future generations from the harmful effects of asbestos exposure. Additionally, public education and advocacy can play a vital role in raising awareness and encouraging proactive measures to minimize the risks associated with asbestos exposure in these communities.
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