Sign up for free presentation on dangers of radon exposure
The Kane County Healthy Places Coalition will give a presentation on the dangers of radon exposure on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the University of Illinois Extension office, 535 S. Randall Road in St. Charles.
There will be two sessions, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Attendees will be presented with information about what radon is, how it enters your home, how it affects your health, how to test for it, and how to mitigate if it is found in your home at higher than acceptable limits.
Participants will be able to purchase test kits for $15 at the end of the presentation.
January is National Radon Action Month as observed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Because of the natural geological formations in northern Illinois, Kane County homes often show amounts of radon to be higher than what the EPA calls its "action level" of 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, radon is the No. 1 leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after tobacco.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally from the breakdown of uranium. Rocks and soil can contain uranium. Radon gas can enter through cracks in homes/buildings/schools and expose people to the radiation.
The presentation is free to the public, but prior registration will be appreciated. Call (630) 444-3040 to register.
Radon testing kits are available from the Kane County Health Department and the Kane County Development Office, as well as at many local hardware stores.
Test kits for $15, which include certified lab analysis and postage, are available at:
• Aurora Health Department Office, 1240 N. Highland Ave., Suite 5, Aurora; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays
• Kane County Development Office, 719 S. Batavia Ave., fourth floor, Geneva; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays
• Elgin Health Department Office, 1750 Grandstand Place, Suite 2, Elgin; 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays
Free test kits are available to those who are income eligible through Community Contacts Inc. at (847) 697-8800.
Free test kits for Aurora residents are also available through Joseph Corporation (630) 906-9400.