Radon gas is probably the last thing on your mind as a New Castle PA homeowner. “What tiles will look good in my master bathroom?” “Should I install sod or plant seeds to start my lawn?” These are just a couple of questions that run through the minds of excited home buyers. Questions about radon mitigation and testing in New Castle almost never come up, but they should.
Radon testing is of utmost importance to ensure the safety of your home and your loved ones. Every home should be tested for radon exposure, as elevated levels can pose serious health risks. Take action today and learn more about the importance of radon testing by visiting the CDC’s website.
Here are some facts about radon and radon mitigation New Castle PA homeowners should should know:
Some hot springs, such as those around Hot Springs, Arkansas, naturally produce radon. Radon gas is radioactive and damages cells which can result in cancerous tumors. While exposure to radon doesn’t lead to a cancer diagnosis right away, the substance causes continuous damage within body over time which can ultimately lead to development of the disease. Radon‘s radioactive particles are known to settle within the lining of the lungs and cause cell damage there. Researchers conclude that radon exposure is the cause of approximately 21,250 lung cancer deaths annually, including residents right here in New Castle Pennsylvania.
Most health experts agree that exposure to radiation is toxic to the human body. Radioactive substances are associated with nuclear power plants and uranium mines. Unless you’re a miner or work at a power plant, you probably don’t believe that your risk of exposure is high enough to warrant concern. In this case, you’d be wrong. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that’s a byproduct of decayed uranium found deep within the earth including areas of New Castle PA. When the gas rises from the ground, most of it dissipates in the outdoor air. However, some of the gas seeps into homes and commercial buildings and gets trapped inside. Since you can’t see, smell, or taste radon, the gas can build up to hazardous levels without anyone noticing the problem until it’s too late.
Interesting Facts About New Castle PA
New Castle is located in Lawrence County Pennsylvania. The population of New Castle PA and surrounding areas is 21,618. The Mayor is Anthony Mastrangelo of City of New Castle-Lawrence County which is located at 230 N Jefferson St, New Castle PA 16101. The local school system is Neshannock Township School District which has the national school code of 4216440 and FIPS code of 42073010800. The median income in New Castle PA is $34,133 with an unemployment rate of 10.9%. The average house value is $61,801 and median rent price is $676. Both single family homes and rental properties in New Castle Pennsylvania should be tested for radon and mitigation should be performed when necessary.
The average age of New Castle residents is 41.2 years old. The local post office can be found at 4 E MAITLAND LN, NEW CASTLE PA 16105-9998. The city center has the following geo coordinates: 40.9956 latitude, -80.3459 longitude which can precisely be found near 401 South Jefferson Street, New Castle, PA 16101-3558. The metropolitan market falls within the New Castle, PA region and is within the 724 area code. Since Pennsylvania radon problems are fairly common, it is important that all New Castle PA dwellings are subject to frequent radon testing and mitigation when necessary.
New Castle, Pennsylvania encompasses the following counties: Lawrence and includes the following zip codes: 16102 16101 16105 16103 16107.
Radon Problems in New Castle Homes
When you think of health hazards in New Castle PA, a slew of external threats come to mind. However, the radioactive byproducts of radon are a deadly foe that’s found right at home where you’re supposed to be the safest. If you have certain unexplained respiratory ailments, you should check for symptoms of radon exposure. Some of the common signals that your lungs have been compromised by radon include wheezing, coughing up blood, and chest pain. Radon gas is the second most frequent cause of lung cancer in America, including New Castle Pennsylvania.
When experts conduct radon mitigation in Lawrence County PA, they find that the gas and its radioactive particles are waterborne as well as airborne. The gas contaminates groundwater but often gets detected and removed at municipal water treatment centers. People who rely on well water should get their water tested for radon even though waterborne radon problems are generally less common than airborne, especially in New Castle. According to Kourtni Vargas, radon gas is responsible for approximately 60 deaths each day in the United States.
The only way that you can make sure that your Lawrence County home is free from radon is by testing the air and water in dwelling. While most people prefer professional radon testing, you can get a quick look at your home’s radon status with an at-home radon test kit. Most New Castle PA hardware stores sell these test kits and they are also available online at reasonable prices.
Basements tend to have higher levels of airborne radon than other parts of homes or businesses. If you have a basement, it’s best to start your test there. If your home is built on a crawl space or slab, conduct the radon test on the lowest livable level. As a resident of Pennsylvania, radon testing and mitigation should be a routine step in home ownership. Some hot springs, such as those around Hot Springs, Arkansas, naturally produce radon.
More Information About Radon Mitigation in New Castle Pennsylvania
If you have high levels of radon in your home or workplace, you’ll need a professional Pennsylvania radon mitigation company to install a radon reduction system on your property. SWAT Environmental services all Lawrence County, PA including New Castle and the 16101 area. During the installation process, technicians seal gaps, cracks, or openings that lead to the ground. They follow up by installing a system that creates vacuum suction under the building using negative pressure. Radon gas that builds up underneath the home gets drawn into the vacuum tubes and away from the structure before it seeps into interior spaces.
Conclusion: You probably already know that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer in the United States according to the research that the American Cancer Society and New Castle health authorities continue to conduct. However, most people don’t know that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in this country. This deadly runner-up slides under the radar with many homeowners because it’s not easily detected without a special test. After learning about the harmful effects of radon, governing bodies continue to advocate for widespread testing and radon mitigation across Pennsylvania cities. Just remember, radon mitigation systems in New Castle PA are very common and actually increase the value of the home.