Radon test kits available for $5 from health department

The McHenry County Department of Health encourages all residents to test their homes for radon levels. During October, short-term radon test kits can be purchased at MCDH for a reduced price of $5.

Cracks in the basement or foundation of a home can allow higher levels of radon inside the home. McHenry County has been classified as a Zone 2 or medium risk for radon. One out of three basement level readings in McHenry County have elevated radon levels.

Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless gas that is harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air, but when trapped in buildings, can be harmful at elevated levels. The health risk associated with exposure to radon is lung cancer - second only to smoking. The likelihood of developing cancer depends on many different factors including amount of exposure, length of exposure, and if a person is a smoker or nonsmoker.

Testing your home for radon is easy. Test kits from MCDH have detailed instructions on the best place in the home to test for radon, the length of time, and where to send the kit for analysis using the postage paid envelope. A demonstration of the radon home testing process is available online at radon.com where test results can be viewed. Call MCDH at (815) 334-4585 to get a test kit.

For more information on radon in McHenry County, visit Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Division of Nuclear Safety, at radon.illinois.gov/iema/radon/RadonCounty_Frames.asp.