Indoor Air - Radon
Radon is an invisible, odorless, radioactive gas. It is by far the greatest single source of radiation exposure to the general public.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause among nonsmokers. Performing a radon test is the only way to know if radon levels in your home are high. Elevated indoor levels are found in every state in the US, and in every county in Illinois.
How does radon enter a home?
Radon forms naturally. Uranium in soil or rock breaks down to form radium, which then turns into radon gas. Once formed, radon enters a home through cracks in walls, basement floors, foundations and other openings. As radon decays, it releases radioactive byproducts that are inhaled and can cause lung cancer. When radon gets trapped indoors, it may exist in dangerous concentrations.
The pie chart below breaks down everyday radiation exposure sources.
Since 2003, thousands of indoor radon measurements have been performed in Kendall County by licensed radon measurement professionals. Approximately 47% of results generated by those tests, were found to exceed the USEPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L.
Testing is easy and affordable. You can pick up a radon testing kit at a local hardware store or at the Kendall County Health Department. You can also hire a professional radon testing specialist.
What are the Health Effects?
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for thousands of deaths each year. Exposure to radon causes no immediate symptoms, but the long-term threat of lung cancer is significant to everyone. The EPA estimates that 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year are related to breathing radon gas.
Save one dollar off the price of an AirChek radon test kit at the Kendall County Health Department!
Use your smartphone to snap this Quick Response code.
Please take a look and if you have any questions about the Radon test kit, give us a call.
Air Chek has details on how to perform this test on their website.
For radon information by telephone call (800) 325-1245 (Information Line) or to speak to an IEMA Radon Program staff member call (217) 782-1325.
