The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has worked with the states to develop a program for accurate information and guidance to deal with the problem of school buildings constructed with asbestos-containing materials. This is the first of two guidance manuals that are a major part of this program and are being mailed to all public school districts. They were prepared to inform administrators of the health hazards associated with asbestos and outline the steps that can be taken to identify asbestos-containing materials and to protect students and school personnel from exposure. Chapters constructed in a question and answer format discuss the concern about asbestos, its uses, steps involved in conducting an asbestos control program, and corrective action. Specifications and requirements for contractors are listed, as are sources of assistance from federal and state agencies. The appendices contain the asbestos regulations from three federal agencies, addresses of agencies involved in asbestos control, and a brief report, "Mineral Characterization of Asbestos-Containing Spray Finishes." (Author/MLF)