Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas naturally released from rocks, soil and water. Radon gas can enter through cracks in homes, buildings, and schools. Radon
is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States behind
smoking. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
estimates that 21,000 yearly lung cancer U.S. deaths are associated with
radon. Learn more about the health risks of radon.
Radon in Kane County
According to the EPA Map of Radon Zones, Kane County is in Zone 1: Highest risk of radon.
IEMA Radon Dashboard for Illinois Counties shows that the average test result of Kane County homes is over 4 pCi/L. If a home, building or school tests at 4 pCi/L or higher, action needs to be taken to remove the radon.
Home Owners
All Kane County residents should test their homes for radon. Testing is the only way to know your home's radon level.
Radon test kits are available from the Kane County Health Department and many local hardware stores. Test kits for $15, which include certified lab analysis and postage, are available at:
Kane County Health Department
1240 N. Highland Avenue, Suite 5
Aurora, IL 60506
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, closed from 12:30 to 1:30
Kane County Health Department
1750 Grandstand Place, Suite 2
Elgin, IL 60123
Hours: Tuesdays 8:30am-4:30pm, closed from 12:30 to 1:30
Radon Reduction Toolkit for Home Buyers
There are many steps that home buyers take to ensure their new home is safe and healthy for themselves and their loved ones. Reducing radon exposure should be no exception. The American Lung Association has created a toolkit of resources to help home buyers protect against radon. Radon Basics is a free online learning module designed to teach participants facts about radon, the importance of testing, and options for mitigation.
Home Builders
Radon-Resistent New Construction
policies are relatively minor, low-cost, construction techniques that
help reduce the radon levels in new homes that are built.
Effective June 1, 2013 all new residential construction in this State shall include passive radon resistant construction. Read the law.
Many
Kane County builders have been educated about radon and have already
adopted these policies. Since 1994 more than 1/3 of new homes built in
Kane County have been built using radon-resistant construction techniques.
Child Care Centers
The
state legislature enacted a law requiring all licensed day care centers
and homes to be tested for radon during license renewal: Public Act 097-0981 Radon Testing.
The Kane County Healthy Places Coalition has created a tool kit to make
it easy for child care centers and homes to encourage parents to test
their homes. The Child Care Radon Testing Photo Journal Tool Kit
provides a quick guide to the various action items that child care
centers and homes can choose from the tool kit to promote radon
awareness among parents. We hope this tool kit helps many families with
children in child care settings in Kane County.
Best Practices for Radon Testing at Child Care Homes & Centers
Coloring Sheet on Radon
Follow-up Survey for Child Care Providers English & Spanish
Schools
The EPA Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools
provides schools with guidance, strategies, a list of frequently asked
questions, and improvement plans to improve school air quality at little
or no cost.
Healthcare Providers
Secondhand smoke causes
approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the U.S.; radon
causes 21,000. Doctors are in a position to educate their patients about
testing procedures and methods for correcting elevated indoor radon
levels. Most doctors ask their patients if they are a smoker or are
exposed to second hand smoke but do not ask their patients if they have
tested their homes for radon. Doctor involvement is crucial in reducing
the incidence of lung cancer.
Radon Reduction Toolkit for Healthcare Providers
In 2024, the American Lung Association surveyed over 900 licensed healthcare professionals about their experience with indoor air quality. Out of 9 common indoor air pollutants, healthcare professionals were least familiar with radon. The Lung Association has created a toolkit of resources to aid healthcare professionals to identify, screen, and treat patients at-risk for the health impacts of radon.
Resources
Radon Page - EPA
Radon Publications - EPA
Radon Page - Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA)
Radon Publications - IEMA
Radon: A Citizen's Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family - EPA
Radon: A Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction - How to fix your home - EPA
Radon: Guidelines for Measurements in the Home - IEMA
Radon: Home Buyer's & Sellers Guide - EPA
Radon Testing Guidelines for Real Estate Transactions - IL
Take Action on Radon for Healthy Homes U of I Extension
CanSAR (Cancer Survivors against Radon)
Radon Testing Bookmark
Radon Info Flyer English-Spanish
Radon Testing Flyer English-Spanish
Radon Coloring Sheet English-Spanish
Radon Follow-up Survey English-Spanish
