MCDONOUGH COUNTY, Ill. — Radon is considered a silent killer because it can't be seen, tasted or smelled. It's a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless gas that is harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air, but when trapped in buildings, can be harmful at elevated levels.
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. for non-smokers and the second leading cause for smokers. There are 15,000-22,000 lung cancer deaths in the nation each year related to radon, according to the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. In Illinois alone, nearly 1,200 people die from radon-related lung cancer each year.
Oct. 17-24 is Radon Action Week. The McDonough County Health Department recommends all residents test their homes for elevated levels of radon. Testing can help identify radon problems that can be fixed with a mitigation system.
According to a study released by the Illinois Emergency Agency, 42% of homes tested in Illinois had elevated levels of radon. In McDonough County, the average indoor radon levels, as determined by radon test results, are 5.3 pCi/L which is above the 4pCi/L action level.
During the month of October, the McDonough County Health Department is selling radon test kits for $7.50. The kits are regularly $15. The health department says the kits are easy to use. For more information on radon, call the McDonough County Health Department at (309) 837-9951.
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