MORRIS – The Grundy County Health Department encourages everyone to test their home for Radon as part of National Radon Action Month this month.
Many people are unaware of the risks associated with radon for themselves and their children, according to a news release. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released in rock, soil and water that can build up to dangerous levels inside any home. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without a basement.
Radon gas is odorless and invisible and the only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test for it.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that if a home or building tests at 4 picocuries per liter or higher, action should be taken to reduce the level of radon. At least 38 percent of the buildings tested in Grundy County have been found to exceed the 4 pCi/L standard.
Help is available to fix a radon problem. You can call the state radon office at 217-782-1325 to find qualified radon mitigators in your area. Also local companies with radon mitigators are in the phone book or online. The cost to reduce radon depends on how your home was built and how you use it. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs.
Test kits can be bought at many local hardware stores and from the American Lung Association for $12 by calling 800-LUNG USA, according to the release.
For information regarding Radon, contact the Grundy County Health Department at 815-941-3115. You also can obtain information from the IEMA website, http://www.illinois.gov/iema/NRS/Radon/Pages/default.aspx.