Because asbestos is considered a toxic air pollutant that may be released from old or damaged construction materials, buildings and homes may require an asbestos risk assessment conducted by professional surveyors. For example, in the US EPA’s asbestos-in-schools-program, a school building’s physical conditions are examined to determine if asbestos abatement is required to protect the building occupants from inhaling asbestos particles that may be released from damaged construction materials.