Radon

What is Radon? 

  • Radon is a radioactive, colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally in the soil and can enter your home.

  • Radon is carcinogenic (cancer causing) and is the leading cause of lung cancer to non-smokers and the 2nd leading cause for smokers.

  • According to the EPA, an estimated 21,000 Americans die each year from lung cancer due to radon.

How does Radon enter my home?

It can enter your home through cracks in the foundation, walls and openings around pipes and sump pump/crock.

How do I know if my home has Radon?

The only way to know the radon level in a house is to measure it. Testing is easy and should only take a few minutes of your time.

Where can I get a Radon Test Kit?

  • Test kits are available at the Southwest Suburban Health Department for $7.

  • Test kits include easy following directions for placement of the testing device. When testing is complete, the test kits include information on how to package and mail the kits to the certified lab to get your Radon results.

  • The lab will contact you with your Radon results.

What do my results mean?

  • If your test result is less than 4.0 pCi/L, retest every 2 years to check for any changes.

  • If your test result is between 4 and 8 pCi/L, call the Health Department for a special long-term test kit. Long-term kits remain in place for a whole year. They are available from the Health Department at no charge, but must be approved by a Health Department sanitarian prior to pick up.

  • If your short term test result is greater than 8 pCi/L, retest using another short term test.

My initial results indicated that I should retest my home, now what!?

  • If the result from your long-term test is at or above 4 pCi/L, or if your initial and follow-up short term tests are both above 4Ci/L, call a radon mitigation contractor to have the radon vented out of your home.

  • It is recommended you contact a certified Radon Mitigation Contractor to evaluate your home for mitigation options and to ensure the system installed correctly and safely.

 Where can I find more information about Radon?

You can access more information about radon, including a list of radon results by zip code and a listing for radon measurement and mitigation contractors, at the following websites: