In 1984, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that friable asbestos-containing materials were present in 31,000 school buildings throughout the country. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers may remain in the lungs indefinitely and can lead to various diseases. This handbook is intended to provide administrators--in nontechnical terms--a solid body of facts and some suggested courses of action to deal with asbestos health hazards in their schools. The various chapters cover asbestos health hazards, key legislation and litigation, a summary of federal and state laws that may offer protections for educational employees, and some potential strategies for the National Educational Association and state and local affiliates. (MLF)