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Last updated 8:51 am CT February 09, 2010.

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Radon: The Silent Killer

MT. VERNON -- Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. But experts say not enough homes are tested for the deadly gas. In our region testing is even more critical, that's because all but two counties in Southern Illinois are above the national average for radon levels. The E.P.A. estimates that one in 15 homes nationwide have above the recommended level of radon. In Illinois, a law that took affect last year requires anyone selling a home to provide the buyer with information about radon related health risks. But it doesn't require testing, which experts say could end up saving your life.

"You don't wake up with a headache, you don't wake up with a cough and can live with radon for many years before the cancerous tumors begin to develop," said Calvin Murphy of the newly formed Southern Illinois Radon Awareness Task Force.

Imagine never smoking a cigarette, living a healthy lifestyle and still developing lung cancer. Hard to believe. But that's exactly what happened to Joe Linnertz of Waterloo nearly three years ago.

"I didn't know anything about radon, I thought I did, but I didn't," said Gloria Linnertz, Joe's Widow.

After her husband's death Gloria Linnertz had her home tested. And found it had three times the safe level. The two had been living in their house for 18 years.

Radon usually lurks in basements and crawl spaces, the lowest levels of your home, but not always. Murphy has seen plenty of horror stories from radon, many of which could have been prevented by using a simple test. Home test kits are sold at many area hardware stores. Simply place the test kit in your home for a couple of days, then mail it to a lab for analysis. If your house has high radon levels you can have a fixture installed that will filter the gas out of your house. A few short steps that could save your life.

"The lung cancer that you prevent may be yours, may be your wife's, may be a child," said Murphy.

By Ryan Kruger
rkruger@wsiltv.com

Additional Links:

Cancer Survivors Against Radon

State Radon Page

Southern Illinois Radon Task Force

Free Radon Test Kit

Allied Radon Services Inc.

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