Read on to find out what radon is and why it might be putting the health of school-aged children in Indiana at risk.
Radon is considered a “radioactive gas [that] you can’t see, feel, taste or smell” [WebMD]. While it starts out in the ground as the heavy metal uranium, once it decays, it becomes radon and them “leaves the soil and becomes part of the air and water” around us. When we breathe in radon at low levels, it isn’t harmful to our health, however, when large amounts are present, that is when it puts us at risk of developing serious health issues.
When too much radon is inhaled, “it gets into the lining of your lungs and gives off radiation.” After inhaling large amounts and for a significant period of time, it can lead to a person developing lung cancer years down the road. If you weren’t aware, radon exposure is the “second biggest cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking,” says WebMD. Now, if you’re wondering why radon would be an issue is schools located across the state of Indiana as you would assume they would test for high levels of something that has the potential to be so harmful, the truth is most schools don’t. In fact, many haven’t tested their facilities for it within the last decade, according to Call 6.
The reason why the topic of radon testing has even come up is because “one-third of the counties in Indiana are expected to have areas where radon levels are higher than the EPA recommends” [Source: Indy Star]. That means the children, teachers, and other staff members who spend countless hours at these schools could be exposed to high levels of radon and not even know it.
Now, Call 6 did highlight that the federal EPA does recommend that schools in Indiana test for radon at least once every five years, but given that a large percentage haven’t done so for such a long period of time, it has prompted Senator Eric Bassler, R-Washington to file Senate Bill 632, which would require the Indiana State Department of Health to provide schools with a best practices manual for radon testing. Bassier said that he hopes the bill will “promote more awareness about radon among the local school corporations and give the information needed to check every five years,” or even three.
If Senate Bill 632 is passed, it would require the Indiana State Department of Health to “revise and distribute the manual to each school every three years.”
When you or your child are required to work or attend school in a hazardous environment without being given the proper warning to protect yourselves, certain parties can be held liable when your lives are put at risk or you develop health issues. With that said, if you or your child has developed a medical condition and you believe it was caused by the negligence of another, you may have a viable personal injury claim on your hands which entitles you to recover compensation. If you would like to learn more about your legal rights and what steps you can take to hold a party responsible for the pain and suffering you are now experiencing, contact Gary, IN personal injury lawyer Marshall P. Whalley. Our firm handles all types of personal injury claims and would be more than happy to consult with you and explain how we can help you seek justice for your misfortune.
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