Radon Testing in Illinois: What Homeowners and Buyers Need to Know

You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it, but radon could still be present in your home.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It can enter homes through cracks and openings in foundations, floors, crawlspaces, basement drains, and other areas where the home comes into contact with the ground.

Because there is no way to detect radon without testing, understanding your home’s radon level is an important part of maintaining a healthy living environment.

This is particularly important in Illinois, where elevated radon levels are common.

What Is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium found in soil and rock.

As radon moves through the ground, it can enter buildings through openings in and around the foundation.

Once inside, radon can accumulate in the air.

Because radon has no color, odor, or taste, the only way to know how much radon is present in a home is to test for it.

Is Radon Common in Illinois?

Yes.

Radon can be found throughout Illinois, and elevated levels have been identified in homes across the state.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, a study conducted by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency found that 41% of homes tested in Illinois had radon levels above 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).

It’s also important to remember that radon levels can vary significantly from one property to another.

A neighbor’s low radon result does not mean your home will have the same result. The only way to determine the radon level in a specific home is to test it.

Why Is Radon a Concern?

Long-term exposure to elevated levels of radon increases the risk of lung cancer.

Radon is recognized as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.

Because exposure typically occurs over a long period of time and radon cannot be detected by our senses, testing is an important way for homeowners to understand their potential exposure.

What Radon Level Is Considered High?

Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends taking action to reduce radon levels when testing shows a concentration of 4.0 pCi/L or higher.

The EPA also notes that there is no known safe level of radon exposure and recommends considering mitigation when levels are between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L.

How Is a Home Tested for Radon?

Radon testing measures the concentration of radon in the home’s indoor air.

For real estate transactions, testing is commonly performed using a continuous radon monitor or another approved testing method. The testing device is placed in an appropriate location within the home and remains there for the required testing period.

During short-term testing, maintaining proper testing conditions is important for obtaining reliable results. Windows and exterior doors should generally remain closed except for normal entry and exit, and the testing device should not be moved, covered, or disturbed.

Once testing is complete, the results provide the average radon concentration measured during the testing period.

Where Is Radon Testing Performed?

Testing is generally conducted in the lowest level of the home that is suitable for occupancy.

This may be a finished basement, an unfinished basement that could be used as living space, or the first floor of a home built on a slab or crawlspace.

Choosing the proper testing location helps provide meaningful information about the radon levels occupants could potentially experience.

Do I Need Radon Testing When Buying a Home?

Radon testing is an important consideration during a real estate transaction.

In Illinois, sellers of residential real estate are required to provide buyers with specific radon information and disclosures under the Illinois Radon Awareness Act.

However, disclosure is not the same thing as testing.

A previous radon result may not necessarily represent the home’s current radon level, particularly if the test is older or changes have been made to the property.

Including radon testing as part of the home-buying process gives buyers current information about the property they’re considering purchasing.

What Happens If the Radon Level Is High?

A high radon result does not mean you shouldn’t purchase or remain in the home.

Radon can be reduced.

If testing identifies elevated levels, a licensed radon mitigation professional can evaluate the property and recommend an appropriate mitigation system.

Radon mitigation systems are designed to reduce the amount of radon entering the home’s living spaces. After mitigation, the home should be retested to verify that radon levels have been reduced.

What If the Home Already Has a Radon Mitigation System?

A mitigation system does not eliminate the need for testing.

Testing can help determine whether the existing system is effectively keeping radon levels below the recommended action level.

Homeowners should also become familiar with their mitigation system and periodically check its components for signs that it may not be operating properly.

Should New Construction Homes Be Tested for Radon?

Yes.

New construction techniques may include radon-resistant features or passive radon systems, but those features do not guarantee that indoor radon levels will remain below recommended levels.

The only way to know the radon concentration inside a newly constructed home is to test it.

For buyers purchasing a new construction home, radon testing can be another valuable part of understanding the property before or after moving in.

How Often Should You Test Your Home for Radon?

Radon levels can change over time.

The EPA recommends considering retesting periodically, particularly if significant renovations have been completed, changes have been made to the home’s ventilation or foundation, or a lower level such as a basement begins being used as living space.

Testing again can also provide peace of mind if it has been several years since the home’s last radon test.

Schedule Radon Testing in Northern Illinois

Whether you’re purchasing a home or simply want to better understand the environment inside your current property, radon testing provides information you can’t obtain through sight, smell, or a standard home inspection alone.

About Your Property Inspection provides professional radon testing throughout Northern Illinois to help buyers and homeowners understand the radon levels within their properties.

Contact us today to schedule your radon test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you tell if a home has radon without testing?

No. Radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Testing is the only way to determine the radon concentration inside a home.

Is 4.0 pCi/L considered a high radon level?

The EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon when the level is 4.0 pCi/L or higher. Because there is no known safe level of radon exposure, the EPA also recommends considering mitigation for levels between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L.

Does a radon mitigation system mean the home is safe from radon?

A mitigation system is designed to reduce radon levels, but the home should still be tested to verify that the system is working effectively.

Does a home inspection automatically include radon testing?

Radon testing is a specialized environmental service and may be added to a home inspection. Ask about radon testing when scheduling your inspection so it can be coordinated with your other services.

Can a brand-new home have radon?

Yes. Radon comes primarily from the soil beneath and around a home, so new homes can have elevated radon levels just like older homes. Even homes built with radon-resistant construction features should be tested.

Stay informed with helpful articles covering home inspections, commercial properties, environmental services, maintenance tips, and expert guidance to help you make confident property decisions.