RADON PROGRAM

Educating Will County Residents About the Inportance of Radon Testing

You can’t see, smell or taste radon but it is believed to cause many thousands of deaths each year from lung cancer. Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas that comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. You can be exposed to this gas in any type of building anywhere in the US but your greatest risk of exposure is in your own home where you spend the largest part of your time. Testing is the only way you can find out if you’re home contains a dangerous level of radon.

Radon Test Kits

January is Radon Awareness Month, and it’s an ideal time for homeowners to test your home and find out what your radon levels are. Passive radon test kits are available at every health department office for the low cost of $8.00. The radon test kits come with simple directions, prepaid postage to the laboratory, laboratory analysis and a written report sent to your home. We have offices in Bolingbrook, Joliet, and Monee ready to provide you with a radon test kit. Everyone should test their home and protect their home.

Day Care Centers and Radon Testing

For parents, on January 1, 2014 day care centers will need to show proof the facility has been tested for radon within the last three years as part of the initial application or license renewal process. Day care facilities are required to post the most current radon measurement results next to the licenses issued by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and provide copies of the report to parents or guardians upon request. For more information visit radon.illinois.gov.

Radon Resistant Construction Act

For contractors, in case you were not aware, the Illinois Radon Regulation (32 ILAC 422) underwent an extensive review and update at the end of 2013. The most significant change to the Code is the addition of section 422.160 titled Mitigation Standard for New Residential Construction as required by the Radon Resistant Construction Act which requires all new 1 and 2 family structures built in Illinois after June 1, 2013 to include radon resistant features installed to regulations.