|
 An estimated 1,200 people in Illinois develop radon-related
lung cancer each year. “Radon related health risks are preventable,”
said Alicia Tate-Nadeau, Acting Director of the Illinois Emergency
Management Agency (IEMA). “Radon can be detected with a simple test
and mitigated through well-established techniques. With greater
awareness we can save lives.”
Cold weather might put a damper on outdoor activities, but according
to IEMA, it is a great time to test your home for cancer-causing
radon gas that has been found in nearly 40 percent of Illinois homes
tested. IEMA is encouraging people to test for radon during Radon
Action Month in January.
Logan County (and much of Illinois) is rated as zone 1 meaning that
Logan County is in a zone of highest potential for radon to be found
at unsafe levels.
Regardless of which zone a home is located, any home has the
potential to contain unsafe levels of radon.
Because your neighbor's home was tested and is considered to have
safe levels of radon doesn't mean your home will be safe.
[to top of second column] |
Studies have shown that Logan County has a high potential for homes to test
above the US EPA action level. Test kits can be purchased at most local hardware
stores.
For more information you can visit:
IDPH -
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/
topics-services/environmental-health-protection/toxicology/indoor-air-quality-healthy-homes/radon-faqs
IEMA -
https://www2.illinois.gov/iema/NRS/
Radon/
Pages/default.aspx
IEPA Radon Zone Map -
https://www. epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/ documents/illinois.pdf
Information Sources: Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois EPA,
Illinois Department of Public Health
[Don Cavi, MS, LEHP
Public Health Administrator
Logan County Department of Public Health] |
