Hey, radon test kits! Get your radon test kits here!

Don’t know why I’m thinking of a hotdog vendor at the ballpark when it’s January in Kane County, but that’s the sound that popped into my mind when I read today’s edition of the Kane County Health Matters newsletter. You can subscribe to the Health Department newsletter on this page! (Be sure to scroll down a bit for the sign-up form.)

I also was reminded that January is National Radon Action Month, which we’ve reported a couple of times so far on Kane County Connects. We’ve mentioned the two student contests (poster and video) for radon awareness, the six best practices for radon safety and, most importantly, emphasized that radon is much more prevalent and much more dangerous in Kane County than you might think.

One thing we haven’t stressed quite often enough, I think, is how easy and how inexpensive it is to get radon test kits. Test kits can be purchased at many local hardware stores (prices vary) and from the American Lung Association for $12 by calling 1-800-LUNG USA.

They also are available at the Kane County Health Department and Kane County Development Department and the fee of $15 includes both lab analysis and postage. Below are the locations and times when test kits can be picked up:

• Kane County Health Department, 1240 N. Highland Ave. Suite 5, Aurora — 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Kane County Health Department, 1750 Grandstand Place, Elgin — 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays.
• Kane County Development Department, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Building A, fourth floor, Geneva — 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Free test kits are available to those who are income eligible through Community Contacts, Inc. at 847-697-8800.

SOURCE: Health Matters newsletter