Keep your home safe by testing for radon

January is National Radon Action Month, and the DuPage County Health Department is urging homeowners to be aware of the dangers of radon and have their homes tested for the presence of this odorless, tasteless and colorless gas.

Radon, a radioactive gas, is estimated to cause as many as 21,000 deaths from lung cancer among nonsmokers each year in the United States.

In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today.

Because radon comes naturally from rocks and dirt in the ground, there's always some in the air around us. The problem is when radon gas from underneath a home leaks in through cracks or gaps it can build up over time and can't be seen, tasted, or smelled - so it's easy for radon problems to go unnoticed.

Testing for radon is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk of exposure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Surgeon General recommend testing all homes for the presence of radon.

A radon test is inexpensive, easy, takes only a few minutes, and do-it-yourself test kits can be purchased at hardware stores, home improvement stores and over the Internet. Professional testing services are also available. Millions of Americans have already tested their homes for radon.

If a high radon level is detected in your home, you can take steps to fix the problem to protect yourself and your family.

To learn more about radon and testing, visit Environmental Protection Agency at www.epa.gov/radon or Illinois Emergency Management Agency at www2.illinois.gov/iema/.