IEMA
encourages people to test homes for radon
Send a link to a friend
[October 20, 2009]
SPRINGFIELD -- Radon gas is the
second-leading cause of lung cancer and the leading cause of the
deadly disease for nonsmokers. Yet many people in Illinois have no
idea if their homes have high levels of this health hazard. That's
why the Illinois Emergency Management Agency is encouraging people
throughout Illinois to test their homes for radon during Radon
Action Week, Oct. 18-24.
|
"It's estimated that nearly 1,200 radon-related lung cancer deaths
occur each year in Illinois," said Andrew Velasquez III, IEMA
director. "Our studies have found homes with excessive radon levels
in every county in Illinois. The only way to know if your home has
too much radon is to test. I urge everyone to protect their loved
ones' health by testing for radon."Radon is a colorless,
odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that comes from the radioactive
decay of naturally occurring uranium in the soil. It can enter homes
and buildings through small cracks in the foundation, sump pumps or
soil in crawl spaces. The National Academy of Sciences and the
surgeon general estimate that 21,000 radon-related lung cancer
deaths occur annually in the United States and as many as 1,160 of
those in Illinois.
Homeowners can either test the home themselves, using test kits
available at most home improvement and department stores, or hire a
radon measurement contractor. IEMA licenses more than 266
measurement and 88 mitigation contractors statewide.
[to top of second column] |
![](../images/ads/current/graueinc_lda-ani100109.gif)
IEMA collects and analyzes radon home test results throughout the
state to determine the potential radon risk by county. To date, the
agency's radon staff has analyzed results from more than 100,000
home radon tests conducted by professional contractors and
homeowners between 2003 and 2008. Those results showed that nearly
40 percent of Illinois homes tested have radon levels above the
USEPA-recommended 4 picocuries per liter of air.
For more information about radon, radon testing results from your
county or to find an IEMA-licensed radon measurement or mitigation
contractor in your area, visit
www.radon.illinois.gov.
[Text from
Illinois
Emergency Management Agency
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |