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Central Region Groundwater Website
Click here to check the current National Threat Advisory Level
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Link to EPA website regarding
National Radon Month
The aim of National Radon Action Month is to increase the public's awareness
of radon, promote radon testing and mitigation, and advance the use of
radon-resistant new construction practices.
The normal price of short term radon test kits is $3, but during the month
of January the kits are being offered for FREE to Tazewell County residents.
Also during January, long term radon test kits which are normally priced at $20
are being offered for $10. Tazewell
County Health Department is located at 21306 IL Route 9 in Tremont, just west of
the town of Tremont on Route 9.
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Is there Radon in the Tazewell County Area?
Yes, studies by the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety (IDNS), 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
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Tazewell County
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Number |
Minimum Results |
Average Result |
Maximum Result |
Number
>4 pCi/L |
Percent
>4 pCi/L |
Number >20 pCi/L |
Percent >20 pi/L |
| Basement/Subsurface Level |
48 |
0.9 |
5.9 |
14.3 |
33 |
69 |
0 |
0 |
| 1st Floor Living Area |
5 |
0.9 |
3.1 |
8.8 |
1 |
20 |
0 |
0 |
| 1st Floor Bedroom |
6 |
1.5 |
4.6 |
11.3 |
3 |
50 |
0 |
0 |
| Total |
59 |
0.9 |
5.5 |
14.3 |
37 |
63 |
0 |
0 |
Can I test for Radon myself?
Yes, radon testing is easy and inexpensive. Radon detectors are available at
hardware stores or by calling IDNS for a list of licensed laboratories that sell
detectors.
Does Radon really cause lung cancer?
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, US
Center for Disease Control, American Lung Association, World Health Organization
and many others.
Do people in Illinois take Radon seriously?
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 aginst those who violate this act.
My house doesn't have a basement, could I still have high Radon levels?
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.
If my house has a high Radon level, is there anything I can do about it?
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 IDNS to reduce the Radon levels
in your home. Radon mitigation system installation usually costs between
$200-500, 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.)
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INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Over the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated
that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted
than the outdoor air. Thus, for some people the health risks may be greater due
to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors. In addition people maybe
exposed to indoor air pollutants for longer periods of time. These pollutants
also are readily accessible to susceptible groups of people such as the young,
elderly, and chronically ill.
What causes indoor air problems?
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.
How does indoor air affect your health?
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 he 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. Including asthma,
hypersensitivity, pneumonitis, humidifier fever, and lung cancer.
Does your home have an indoor air quality (IAQ) problem?
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.
Which of the following are pollutant sources?
Oil, Gas, Kerosene, Coal, Wood, Tobacco, Building Materials, Furniture,
Carpeting, Pets, Insulation, Asbestos, Household Cleaning Products, Toiletries,
Humidifiers, Radon, Pesticides, Perfume, Paint All of these items are potential
sources.
What can I do to improve the air in my home?
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 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.
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