The Kane County Healthy Places Coalition urges Kane County residents “NOT to delay, but to test for radon TODAY!”

Radon is found throughout Kane County, similar to most parts of Illinois and the United States. This is because the rocks and soil beneath our feet can contain uranium, which can produce radon, a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally from the breakdown of uranium.

Radon has been found to be the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon gas can enter through cracks in homes/buildings/schools and expose people to the radiation.

Regardless of the year the home was built, the type of foundation, or type of building materials, high levels of radon gas can be present. The United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that if a home or building tests at 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher, you should look for the best radon removal service and action should be taken to reduce the level of radon.

The average indoor radon level in Kane County is 4.09 pCi/L, according to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. At least 45 percent of the buildings tested in Kane County have been found to exceed the 4 pCi/L action level standard. Residents can find the average radon level for homes in their own ZIP code, according to the Radon Illinois website.

Testing homes for the actual level of radon is the only way for families to know if their home is at risk. The Healthy Places Coalition is taking action together with community partners to get the word out: Test Your Home!

Radon Awareness Month

Business Partners

Sam Rivera of Ziegler Ace Hardware on North Spring Street in Elgin helps a customer find a radon test.

Twelve home and hardware stores have displays and informed staff about radon testing in order to help their customers with questions about home testing:

• Ace Hardware: Batavia, Geneva, Sugar Grove and Aurora — Galena Boulevard and Lake Street locations
• Ziegler Ace Hardware in Carpentersville, Huntley, South Elgin and Elgin — Lillian Street and Spring Street locations
• Lowe’s in St. Charles
• Blain’s Farm and Fleet in Elgin.

Library Partners

Rae Bosteder, assistant at the Gail Borden Library.

Thirteen libraries have radon displays to educate their patrons: Aurora Main Branch, Aurora West Branch, Batavia, Big Rock, Dundee, Elburn, Elgin, Geneva, Hampshire, Kaneville, North Aurora, Sugar Grove, and Waubonsee Community College

The library displays feature an invitation to youth to enter the annual radon poster contest (ages 9-14) and video contest (high school students). You can find the rules here.

School Partners

All high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools have been sent information about the radon poster and video contest — as youth learn about radon, their messages are shared with their parents, friends, school mates, and teachers. The winning posters and videos result in monetary awards to the student and to their school.

The real win, however, is that many more families hear the risk and prevention messages about radon!

Batavia Environmental Commission Event

The Batavia Environmental Commission and Batavia Public Library are co-hosting a movie event on Feb. 10 for the public to learn more about radon and its prevention and mitigation.

Home Show

Volunteers from the Kane County Healthy Places Coalition are staffing a booth at the Old House New Home Show on Feb. 9 through Feb. 11 at Pheasant Run. We hope many Kane residents will visit our booth there to learn more about protecting their families!

About The Kane County Healthy Places Coalition

The Kane County Healthy Places Coalition is a diverse group aspects of community partners and residents, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Kane County Health Department, municipal governments, hospitals, fire departments, community advocacy groups, non-profits, private corporations, and many others.

For general radon information about radon, please visit www.healthyplacescoalition.com or call the Kane County Health Department at 630-264-7653.