Radon gas is probably the last thing on your mind as a West Lafayette IN 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 West Lafayette 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 West Lafayette IN homeowners should should know:
Homes and buildings create a vacuum effect that can draw radon into the dwelling where is can become trapped and result in hazardous conditions for the occupants. 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 West Lafayette Indiana.
Most health experts agree that exposure to radiation is toxic to the human body. In addition to lung cancer, radon exposure can put individuals at risk of developing pancreatic cancer. According to the National Institutes of Health, African-Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans exposed to radon have an above-average chance of developing this particular type of cancer. 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 West Lafayette IN. 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 West Lafayette IN
West Lafayette is located in Tippecanoe County Indiana. The population of West Lafayette IN and surrounding areas is 50,996. The Mayor is John Dennis of West Lafayette City Offices which is located at 222 N Chauncey Ave, West Lafayette IN 47906. The local school system is Tippecanoe School Corporation which has the national school code of 1811340 and FIPS code of 18157010600. The median income in West Lafayette IN is $113,409 with an unemployment rate of 3.8%. The average house value is $222,932 and median rent price is $912. Both single family homes and rental properties in West Lafayette Indiana should be tested for radon and mitigation should be performed when necessary.
The average age of West Lafayette residents is 21.7 years old. The local post office can be found at 700 AHLERS DR, WEST LAFAYETTE IN 47907-2012. The city center has the following geo coordinates: 40.4432 latitude, -86.9239 longitude which can precisely be found near 1805 Western Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47906. The metropolitan market falls within the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN region and is within the 765 area code. Since Indiana radon problems are fairly common, it is important that all West Lafayette IN dwellings are subject to frequent radon testing and mitigation when necessary.
West Lafayette, Indiana encompasses the following counties: Tippecanoe and includes the following zip codes: 47906 47907 47996.
Radon Problems in West Lafayette Homes
When you think of health hazards in West Lafayette IN, 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 West Lafayette Indiana.
When experts conduct radon mitigation in Tippecanoe County IN, 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 West Lafayette. According to Janeal Rico, radon gas is responsible for approximately 60 deaths each day in the United States.
The only way that you can make sure that your Tippecanoe 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 West Lafayette IN 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 Indiana, radon testing and mitigation should be a routine step in home ownership. Homes and buildings create a vacuum effect that can draw radon into the dwelling where is can become trapped and result in hazardous conditions for the occupants.
More Information About Radon Mitigation in West Lafayette Indiana
If you have high levels of radon in your home or workplace, you’ll need a professional Indiana radon mitigation company to install a radon reduction system on your property. SWAT Environmental services all Tippecanoe County, IN including West Lafayette and the 47906 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 West Lafayette health authorities continue to conduct. However, most people don’t know that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in this country. In addition to lung cancer, radon exposure can put individuals at risk of developing pancreatic cancer. According to the National Institutes of Health, African-Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans exposed to radon have an above-average chance of developing this particular type of cancer. 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 Indiana cities. Just remember, radon mitigation systems in West Lafayette IN are very common and actually increase the value of the home.