Jeff Webb, environmental health director for the Champaign Health District, said the tests are important because the county’s average radon levels are well above normal compared to the national and state average.
The national average for indoor radon levels is 1.3 pico curies per liter, a measurement of radioactivity. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends repairing your home for any level above 4 pico curies, but Champaign County’s average is was 8.93 as of Aug. 2010, according to information from the Champaign Health District.
“This whole geographic area tends to have high levels,” said Russell Wellman, an environmental technician with the health district.
Webb said the area has a naturally high level of radon, but there are ways to reduce levels within the home. Simply filling in cracks and holes along the basement or slab in the home can reduce the amount of exposure, he said.
Increasing the amount of air exchange from the outside, or installing a radon mitigation system also can help alleviate the problem, he said.
Earlier this week, the Champaign County commissioners signed a proclamation to raise awareness of the gas as part of National Radon month, which takes place in January.
For more information, Webb said residents can call the health district at (937) 484-1605.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355.
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