Radon
Radon is a colorless, odorless, invisible gas that comes from uranium, a naturally occurring rock in our soil. When it
is released, radon gas can seep into homes through cracks in the foundation. It decays quickly, giving off tiny
radioactive particles. When these tiny particles are inhaled, they can damage the cells in the lungs, which can lead
to lung cancer. The only way to know if you have radon in your home is to test. You can test your home yourself by
using a kit you can purchase from the hardware store, or hire a licensed radon measurement professional.
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Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It causes an estimated 15,000 to
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22,000 lung cancer deaths annually.
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Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer deaths in non-smokers. More than 10% of radon-related
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cancer deaths occur in nonsmokers.
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Lung cancer usually develops 5 to 25 years after a person is exposed to radon.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified the Radon Action Level to be at or above
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4.0pCi/L. Approximately one in five homes have a radon level at or above the recommended level.
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If radon levels were lowered in the homes that exceed the recommended level, lung cancer deaths could be
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reduced by 5,000.
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The Illinois Emergency Management Agency conducted a study of 72,000 homes in Illinois that were tested
for radon between 2003 and 2007. More than 42% had radon levels higher than what is recommended by
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EPA. In Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties, 25 to 50% had levels higher than 4.0pCi/L.
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Illinois law requires owners of rental units to provide renters with information about whether the unit has been
tested for radon and if it poses a radon threat. The Illinois Radon Awareness Act requires disclosure of all
radon test results to potential buyers, and using a licensed radon measurement professional is recommended
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in all real estate transactions.
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The Child Care Act - Radon Testing requires that beginning January 1, 2013, all childcare centers must test
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for radon every three years and post the results next to their license.
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Illinois law requires that any school building occupied by students be tested for radon every five years and
make the results available. Any new schools must be built using radon resistant new construction
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techniques.
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2
"Radon and Cancer." National Cancer Institute. National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/radon>.
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Office of the Governor. Governor Rod Blagojevich. Governor Urges People to Test Homes During Radon Action Month. Office of the Governor News.
Radon Illinois, 9 Jan. 2009. Web. 25 Oct. 2012.
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Illinois Emergency Management Agency. New Law to Help Renters Learn More About Radon Levels in Their Homes. News. Illinois Emergency Management
Agency, 29 Dec. 2011. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. <http://www.radon.illinois.gov/>.
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"Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for 4606." Bill Status for 4606. Illinois General Assembly, 17 Aug. 2012. Web. 25 Oct. 2012.
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"Public Act 096-0417." Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of Public Act 096-0417. Illinois General Assembly, 1 Jan. 2010. Web. 26 Oct. 2012.