Imagine breathing air day in and day out that is gradually putting you in danger of lung cancer. That is exactly what high radon levels can do inside a home. Radon is not uncommon in the Chicago region and throughout Illinois. Indeed, over 40% of the homes tested in Illinois exceed the EPA action level of radon at 4.0 picocuries per liter.

This blog will help you understand which Chicago homes are most likely to have high radon levels and why this matters to you. You will gain valuable information on risk factors, current statistics, and what you can do to protect your family.

What Makes Radon Dangerous

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed by the decay of uranium in soil and rock. It is neither smellable nor visible, and its long-term exposure predisposes a person to lung cancer. The second cause of lung cancer in the United States is radon, after smoking.

The EPA advises you to take action in case radon levels in your home are 4 or more picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Even those below that level can be dangerous in the long run.

Chicago: Radon-High Risk Area

High radon levels are a major problem in Illinois. Let’s talk numbers to substantiate our point.

The average radon level in Illinois is 5.3 pCi/L, higher than the national average.

This means a large number of residential radon levels in the Chicago area are elevated, and you should not ignore this.

Which Homes in Chicago Are Most Likely to Have High Radon Levels

Let’s look at some house types that are more likely to have high radon levels in Chicago.

Homes with Cellars or Crawl Spaces

Radon enters homes through the ground beneath them. Extensive concrete cracks, gaps around pipes, open sump pits, and other holes allow radon to enter inhabited areas. Basements and crawlspaces are often directly connected to the ground, so homes with these features are more likely to have high radon levels.

Older House with Porous Foundations

Older houses built decades ago usually have more cracks and less advanced foundation sealing than modern houses. This gives way to increased soil gas entry.

Many Chicago bungalows and two-flats have been at a disadvantage because they were built before current radon-resistant construction standards. Such homes may accumulate radon at higher levels if the foundation is not sealed or mitigated.

Homes on Certain Soil Types

Radon concentrations depend on the geology underlying the property. The soil of Illinois is abundant in uranium and radium, which disintegrate to produce radon gas. In Chicago and its surroundings, soil composition may change effectively block to block, so that two neighboring houses will have radon levels that differ enormously.

Seasonal and Weather Conditions that Affect Radon

Indoor radon isn’t static. It is dynamic based on seasons and weather.

During winter, radon levels are usually higher because homes are tightly sealed and the heating system creates pressure differences that push more radon from the soil into the home.

Radon may temporarily increase due to heavy rains or flooding, which can push the gas into homes by saturating the soil.

When you only test once in the warm summer, you may not notice a spike in winter.

Construction Elements That Increase Risk

Some homes, regardless of age, are built in ways that make them more vulnerable to high radon levels:

Slab-on-grade houses, which have little or no crawl space or basement, typically have concrete laid directly on the ground. When the slab is not covered, radon can seep directly into the living areas through tiny cracks.

Houses with asymmetrical foundation coverings and pipe openings, or with dirt floors in the crawl spaces, provide additional points of radon entry.

Such differences are not reflected in the listings, and so, you would never know unless you do the test.

Real-Life Example: Evidence that Supports It

The recent radon awareness guide indicates that in Cook County, almost 30% of houses had radon concentrations above the EPA-stipulated 4 pCi/L.

Radon is quite common in Chicago. Most homeowners believe the house is safe, only to discover it has high radon levels during an assessment or after moving in.

Those who delay testing may be living with elevated residential radon levels for years without knowing it.

Why Every Chicago Home Should be Tested

Here’s the bottom line: you can’t tell which homes have high radon levels just by looking at them. New or old, big or small, all the houses are at risk.

EPA and health authorities encourage all households to undergo testing, regardless of age or location. Testing is very affordable and the surest way to determine the level of radon in your home.

What You Can Do About It

If your test shows high radon levels:

Radon can be reduced by mitigation systems to up to 99%.
A system for safely venting radon outside may be installed by a certified professional.
Long-term security is guaranteed by continuous monitoring.

Don’t wait until it is late or think it is not dangerous. The thing is, Radon is a silent threat, and the only way to save your family is to test and take action.

Conclusion

Radon is one of those hidden risks that can seriously affect health, especially in the Chicago area, where many homes show high radon levels.

Homes with basements, old foundations, certain soil types, or slab-on-grade construction are usually prone to radon trapping.

However, the only way to determine the residential radon level is to test. The problem is not going to disappear by turning a blind eye, and the repercussions can be much more dreadful than you imagine.

Don’t risk your family’s health. The Brickkicker provides comprehensive radon testing and trustworthy inspection services throughout the Chicago region.

Our experts help you uncover high radon levels before they become a hidden health risk. We ensure you have all the peace of mind you deserve, so schedule your radon test with us now.

Which Homes Are Most Likely to Have High Radon Levels in Chicago