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Radon Awareness Program
A Radon Awareness Program is currently offered through the Henry and Stark County Health Department to raise awareness about the health hazards related to radon gas and encourage residents to test their homes. Radon gas is a serious health threat, but because it is invisible and odorless, people tend to ignore the possibility that there might be a silent killer in their homes.
About Radon
Radon levels are elevated in about 65% of the homes in Henry County and 82% of homes in Stark County and cause more than 20,000 deaths across the U.S. annually.
Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, radioactive gas that is present in the soil. It can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings and homes. Radon gas finds its way into the home through cracks and other openings in the foundation. Radon is a Class A human carcinogen, meaning there is actual evidence that exposure to radon causes lung cancer in humans. Those who smoke are at an even more heightened risk.
Rules & Regulations
Read the rules and regulations of the Illinois Radon Awareness Act (PDF).
If You're a Smoker
The risk of developing lung cancer from radon is increased exponentially in people who are also smokers. At least 85% of radon associated lung cancer deaths are in current or past smokers. This means that smokers are at an even more heightened risk of dying from radon associated lung cancer than non-smokers. Visit the Henry and Stark County Health Department Tobacco Control page for information on quitting smoking.
More Information
For more information regarding radon visit the Illinois Emergency Management Agency website.
For more information regarding radon or to obtain a test kit, please email or call 309-852-7266.
Testing your home is the only way to know if you have elevated levels of radon. Testing is as simple as placing a test kit in the lowest level of the house that is used on a regular basis, waiting three days, and placing a prepaid package in the mail. Your results can then be found online shortly after the lab receives your test kit.
Radon Testing Kits
A limited number of these radon test kits are available at the Henry and Stark County Health Department, Environmental Health Division for $15 per kit.
For more information on Radon Gas or the Radon Home Testing Kits call 309-852-0197. Remember, you can always Find Us on Facebook or Follow Us On Twitter.
Licensed Contractors
Radon testing can also be performed by a licensed radon measurement professional. Several of these professionals can be found in the Henry and Stark County surrounding area.
If Your Home Tests Positive for Radon
If radon levels above the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) 4.0 pCi/L action level are detected in your home, the problem can be fixed by a qualified, licensed mitigation contractor for a cost similar to that of many common home repairs. The Health Department can provide you with information regarding radon mitigation on their website, or through their Environmental Health Division if this is the case.
Indoor radon levels can be lowered by installing a radon mitigation system that collects radon prior to its entry into the house and discharges it to a safe location above the highest eave of the home. 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. Mitigation systems must be installed by a licensed professional. Several of these professionals can be found in the Henry and Stark County surrounding area.
Read Radon In Homes (PDF) for more information.
The Illinois General Assembly Act 096-0417 recommends that every occupied school building in Illinois be tested for high levels of radon every five years. It is required that, of those schools who do test, results will be reported to the State Board of Education, who will prepare a report every two years of the results from all schools in Illinois who have tested to be submitted to the General Assembly and the Governor.
Testing Program
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) has developed a program to help with testing costs for school districts. IEMA may exempt a school from using a licensed radon professional for testing services provided a school district employee take an IEMA approved online training course and exam on school testing. This school district employee must then perform the measurements in accordance with procedures approved by IEMA.
More Information
For more information on this program and other grant opportunities visit the Illinois Emergency Management Agency's radon website or contact Patrick Daniels, IEMA Radon Director, at 217-782-1325.