Elliott & Associates Helps a School Reduce Cancer Risk

In 2014, there was a growing concern at Pleasantdale Elementary School in La Grange, IL about the number of teachers that had been diagnosed with cancer. As of April, 2014 nine staff members at the school had been diagnosed with cancer.

Members of the Teachers Association of Pleasantdale raised concerns about the health and safety of staff and asked that the district investigate risk factors, including but not limited to water quality, asbestos, mold and radon.

Air quality investigations were conducted and found that there were some minor areas for improvements, but no link couldĀ be established between the building’s air quality and cancer among staff members.

Despite the report clearing the school, Pleasantdale District 107 took action to lessen reports of odors and other health concerns, such as air flow in the elementary building.

The school conducted radon testing and some areas of the school were found to have elevated levels of radon. Concerns were raised about radon gas levels at the elementary school and some classrooms, offices and the school gym were vacated and measures were taken to reduce radon in those areas.

Elliott & Associates was hired to install six radon mitigation systems. Radon testing conducted after the installation showed safe levels of radon for the staff and students.

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Pleasantdale School Is Now Safe From Radon

Elliott & Associates had the honor to install 6 radon mitigation systems at Pleasantdale Elementary School in LaGrange, IL over winter break. I have to say thanks to Catherine and Mark for allowing us to install the most efficient systems in order to make the school as safe as possible for the children and staff. Arthur, the building engineer, was a pleasure work with and he did a great job facilitating the installations. I now realize what a building engineer does; they are pulled in every direction, solving problems that always arise. I have a new found appreciation for the operation of a school. As seen from the photos of the systems, they blend-in very well. The up-sized systems are able to withstand the cold weather, eliminating freeze-ups and provide a safe school at all times. I congratulate the teachers that have their own radon safety sirens monitoring their classrooms, making sure the environment that they teach in is safe.
See Pleasantdale School’s Radon Information webpage.
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