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Have you had your home tested for radon yet? |
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Radon gas did not disappear!
Although it is invisible, odorless, colorless, and tasteless, radon gas is still one of the more serious health hazards in our community.
Radon is a radioactive gas which occurs naturally in most rocks and soils. It comes from the natural breakdown (radioactive decay) of uranium. Radon can be found in various concentrations practically anywhere on earth, but it's when concentrations rise in closed-in buildings that health risks become a concern.
Radon is the nations's second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking.
Cook County had been designated in potential radon risk Zone 2 according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. This means the homes have a moderate potential of radon levels between 2 and 4 pCi/1. 4 pCi/1 is considered the "Action Level". However, no radon level is considered "safe". Based on today's mitigation technology, levels can almost always and should be reduced to concentration levels of 2 pCi/1 or below, especially if there are smokers or children in the home or if a lot of time is spent in the lowest level of the home. "Hotspots" can often be found in any Zone 2 or Zone 3 county. Maximum Cook County levels from the US EPA and the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety radon surveys were 16.0 pCi/1 and 11.6 pCi/1 respectively.
According to the US EPA, prolonged exposure to radon is still the #1 cause of lung cancer for non-smokers and if combined with smoking can greatly increase the risk of lung cancer. This means that 1-2 non-smokers per 1,000 could get lung cancer at 4 pCi/1 over a lifetime and 15-29 smokers per 1,000 could get lung cancer at 4 pCi/1 over a lifetime. The US EPA estimates that up to 20,000 lung cancer deaths a year may be attributed to radon gas.
Based on the surveys done by the US EPA and the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety, approximately 15% of the homes in Cook County could have radon levels over 4 pCi/1. The only way to determine if a house has elevated indoor radon is to test.
Both the EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing in all homes below the third floor for radon. It is the only way to know for sure if levels are low and your family is safe from the long-term effects of radon.
Fortunately, testing for radon is simple and inexpensive. The Environmental Protection Agency conducts the Radon Measurement Proficiency (RMP) Program to evaluate companies that make and analyze test kits. RMP-approved kits are available at local hardware stores, other retail outlets, and through the mail.
Making repairs to eliminate radon gas can be simple as well. There are many qualified contractors in the U.S. who can reduce elevated radon levels. There are also some do-it-yourself methods for reducing radon. Radon levels should be retested to make sure they are at acceptable levels.
For more information about radon and a coupon to mail-order a radon test kit for only $7, please call the Cook County Radon Awareness Program at 708-865-6177.
Radon is the nations's second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking.
The US EPA and the US Surgeon General recommend testing
all homes below the third floor for radon.
Free packet of radon information coupon to mail-order test kit.
John H. Stroger, Jr., President
Cook County
Board of Commissioners
Radon Awareness Program
708-865-6177
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