L. Tammy Duckworth, who is coordinating the project through the Northern Illinois University School of Nursing Center for Nursing Research, wants to test at least 600 more homes but needs cooperation of the homeowners. She has contacted 810 randomly selected homes. Duckworth's study is the first-ever radon measurement program of more than 500 homes in a single U.S. county. Kishwaukee Community Hospital is funding the project. The 810 rural and urban homes are in a geographic area believed to have high radon levels.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas produced as a result of radium decay.
In its decayed state, radon can be inhaled into the lungs and possibly cause lung damage and cancer. DeKalb County homes make good radon case studies because they are in a region rated by the EPA as exceeding maximum safe radon emission levels, Duckworth said. Residents who agree to the free testing will receive two radon test kits with detailed instructions on how to use them. These are simple devices that only need to be hung up in the home and then taken down after four days. Homeowners will have complete anonymity during and after the free testing.