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Radon testing

By Katie Nilsson

ROCKFORD (WREX) -

Illinois health leaders want you to test your home for an odorless, yet deadly gas.  The state recommends that you test your home for Radon every two years.  Experts tell us you don't have to spend a ton of money on a professional.  Testing kits are available at most hardware stores, and they could save your life.   "It concentrates in the basement, it still reflects upstairs, many times I hear, oh, I don't go in the basement, it's still the heating and air conditioning kick it upstairs."

Thomas Brain owns Radon Testing Company here in Rockford. He's been checking homes in Northern Illinois for the last 8 years.   Radon is a naturally occuring gas, released from the ground as uranium decomposes.  State statistics show homes from Boone County all the way west to the Mississippi and south to the middle of Illinois are in the high risk zone.   "It can be in any type, new construction, old. It doesn't make any difference, and there's not a common denominator, whether or not it's old, new, vacant, there's not a common denominator to make it high or whatever it can be any type."

According to the surgeon general, radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in people who don't smoke.    You can hire a professional to test, and should if you're planning to sell your home.   Otherwise, self test kits are out there and only cost between 15 and 20 dollars.  "Keep the windows shut, test in the lowest level living area especially basement bedrooms."

Brain says radon levels vary from home to home, so you should never assume you have safe levels just because your neighbors house does.