Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, studies by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and others show that Radon occurs in every county in Illinois. INDS found in its study that 63% of the homes that were tested in Tazewell County had indoor Radon levels of 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) or greater. Studies that show high Radon levels occur often in central Illinois, no matter where you live, there is still reason for concern. The U.S. EPA has set 4 pCi/L as the Action Level, the level at which residents should take steps to reduce Radon levels. Screening results for Tazewell County are shown in the table below

Yes, radon testing is easy and inexpensive. Radon detectors are available at hardware stores or by calling IEMA for a list of licensed laboratories that sell detectors.

Yes, Radon is a class A human carcinogen, which means there is actual evidence that exposure to radon causes lung cancer in humans. The National Academy of Science's Sixth Committee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Gradation (BEIR VI) study reaffirmed USEPA's risk estimate for radon exposure. In addition to USEPA, Radon's risk is recognized by the: American Medical Association, U.S. Center for Disease Control, American Lung Association, World Health Organization and many others.

Yes, in 1997, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Radon Industry Licensing Act. This new law prohibits interfering with or causing another person to interfere with the successful completion of a Radon measurement or the installation or operation of a Radon mitigation system. This section applies to everyone, not just individuals that required to be licensed. Expensive penalties may be assessed against those who violate this act.

Yes, Any home can have elevated Radon levels. It doesn't matter whether your house is old or new or whether it has a basement, crawlspace, or slab-on-grade foundation. Most Radon enters a home because of air pressure and temperature differentials between the indoors and outdoors. When air is exhausted by a natural or powered ventilation, make-up air is drawn in through openings in the foundation from the surrounding soil.

Yes, indoor Radon levels can be lowered by installing a Radon mitigation system that collects Radon prior to its entry into the house and discharges it to a safe location. Contact a mitigation licensed by IEMA to reduce the Radon levels in your home. Radon mitigation system installation costs vary, depending on the characteristics of the house and choice of Radon reduction methods. Residents own home; however, without proper equipment or technical knowledge, you could increase the Radon level or create other potential hazards. (Radon detectors come in a variety of shapes. Charcoal detectors are short-term tests. Alpha track detectors are long term tests.)

Indoor pollution sources that release particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems. Inadequate ventilation and increase pollutants are another cause. High temperature and humidity can also increase concentrations of some pollutants.

Certain immediate effects are similar to those from cold or flu. It is often difficult to determine if the symptoms are a result of exposure to an indoor are pollutant. Effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated exposures. These include irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. These effects are usually short term and treatable. There are several diseases, which have been linked to indoor air pollution, these include asthma, hypersensitivity, pneumonia, humidifier fever, and lung cancer.

Identify sources of potential indoor pollutant sources. Although, just the presence of some sources does not indicative of an indoor air quality problem. Knowing the sources, type, and number is an important first step in assessing your IAQ problem.

All of these items are potential sources:

• Asbestos
• Building Materials
• Carpeting
• Coal
• Furniture
• Gas
• Household Cleaning Products
• Humidifiers
• Insulation
• Kerosene
• Oil
• Paint
• Perfume
• Pesticides
• Pets
• Radon
• Tobacco
• Toiletries
• Wood

There are a few basic steps to improving indoor air quality. The most effective first step is to eliminate the source. This maybe accomplished by removing, sealing, or enclosing individual sources. Source control is the most cost effective approach to protecting indoor air quality. Second is increasing ventilation, which may lower the concentrations of pollutant in a home, by increasing the amount of outdoor air coming indoors. 

Most home heating and cooling systems do not mechanically bring fresh air into the house. Opening windows, operating window fans, attic fans, or running window air conditioners with vents open increases outdoor air ventilation. Running kitchen and bathroom fans that exhaust outdoors can remove some localized pollutants. Third, air cleaners are another option. There are many sizes and different types of air cleaners. 

Some cleaners are highly effective at particle removal while others are much less effective. These air cleaners draw air through a filtering element and push out filtered air. Because of this the maintenance of the unit affects the effectiveness of the unit.

No, radon testing in schools is not required by law.  It is, however, recommended that every occupied school building of a school district be tested every 5 years for radon. Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) does offer a school screening program to help reduce the cost to school districts for the radon tests. The Illinois School Code allows school district employees to complete an online training course approved by IEMA to perform screening measurements in their district school buildings. By using a trained school district employee to conduct the tests, districts won't have the expense of hiring a licensed radon measurement contractor. For more information: https://iemaohs.illinois.gov/nrs/radon/schoolscreeningprogram.html