January is National Radon Action Month , an annual observance that focuses on increasing awareness of the health risk of radon , which is the second leading cause of lung cancer .  In connection with this observance , the Village of Lombard encourages residents to check the radon levels of their homes in January or during the winter months .    
   Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the ground that is odorless , tasteless and colorless .  Radon can enter a home through cracks in walls , basement floors , foundations and other openings .  Although radon gas is measurable everywhere , the highest readings are commonly found in the basement and first - floor levels of homes and apartments .
   Below are 5 important things to know about radon: 
   Radon - related lung cancers are responsible for an estimated 21 , 000 deaths annually in the United States .  
   Smoking and radon exposure can separately increase the risk of lung cancer .   However , if you smoke , exposure to both tobacco and radon enhances the risk of lung cancer even further .  
   The only way to detect radon in your home is to test the air .  EPA urges anyone with radon levels above 4 picoCuries per liter ( pCi/L ) to take action to fix their homes .  The EPA recommends that mitigation be considered if levels are greater than 2 pCi/L .  After high levels are detected , a radon mitigation system should be installed by a radon professional .   
   Radon testing should always be performed when buying a home and after building a new one .   
   Professional radon mitigation should be a priority when high radon levels are detected .  Under the Radon Industry Licensing Act , IEMA licenses radon measurement and mitigation professionals in Illinois .   A list of professionals can be found at
   www . radon . illinois . gov
    .  
   For more information , visit
   www . epa . gov/radon
    .  
   

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