Test Your Home and Protect Your Family During Radon Action Month
Kane County Health Department Media Release 1/21/2026 10:00AM
January marks Radon Action Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about radon gas. Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and the leading cause among non-smokers.
Kane
County residents live in an area with one
of the highest potential risks for elevated radon levels. The U.S. EPA
Radon Zone Map places Kane County in Zone 1, signifying the greatest
likelihood that homes will test above the EPA’s recommended action
level.
Local testing data show that the average indoor
radon level in Kane County homes is 4.6 pCi/L, which
is significantly higher than the national average of 1.3 pCi/L. The EPA
recommends mitigation for levels at or above 4.0 pCi/L to reduce cancer
risk.
Radon
can enter buildings through cracks in foundations,
gaps around pipes, sump pits, and other openings. Because it is
invisible and odorless, the only way to know your home’s radon level is
to test. Elevated radon exposure significantly increases lung cancer
risk over time.
Kane County residents can take the following steps
to reduce their risk of radon-related lung cancer:
- Test your home. Short-term radon test kits are affordable and easy to use. Kits are available from the Kane County Health Department and many local retailers.
- Mitigate if necessary. If your home tests at or above 4 pCi/L, take action to reduce radon levels. Certified radon mitigation professionals can install systems to lower indoor radon effectively.
- Retest. After mitigation or major home repairs, retest to ensure levels remain safe.
“Radon
poses a real health risk, but the good
news is testing and mitigation are straightforward,” said Michael
Isaacson, Kane County Health Department Executive Director. “This Radon
Action Month, we’re encouraging every household in Kane County to test
and protect their loved ones.”
Residents can pick up low-cost radon test kits
at the Kane County Health Department and find guidance on testing and mitigation at: https://www.kanehealth.com/Pages/Radon.aspx
