Illinois officials urging testing for radon

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois officials are urging residents to test their homes for a naturally-occurring radioactive gas known to cause lung cancer.

In a news release, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency says that thousands of people have already tested their homes for radon and that nearly 40 percent of them were found to have high levels of the gas.

The agency recommends that residents whose homes have high levels of radon install radon mitigation systems, which cost about $800-$1,200.

But the agency says that residents of rural areas may qualify for low interest loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and that grants may be available for elderly homeowners on fixed or low incomes.

Further information is available at www.Radon.Illinois.gov or by calling 1-800-325-1245.