Test your home for radon during Clean Air Month and Air Quality Awareness Week
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments are emphasizing the dangers of radon exposure as part of Clean Air Month and Air Quality Awareness Week, observed from May 4th to 8th, 2026. Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and has been detected in 65% of Henry County and 82% of Stark County homes. Residents are encouraged to test their homes using radon test kits available at Health Department offices in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon for $15. Details and resources for mitigation are available at the department’s website or by calling local offices.
The Health Department staff said, “Many people don’t even know that Radon gas is such a health threat. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas present in the soil and water that can build up to dangerous levels in the home. Radon gas is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and invisible and the only way to know if a home has a radon problem is to test for it. Breathing radon can increase ones risk of lung cancer. If you are a smoker, your risk is even more heightened.”
They add, “Radon gas found in 65% of homes in Henry County and 82% of homes in Stark County. Radon is a Class A human carcinogen, meaning there is actual evidence that exposure to radon causes lung cancer. It is the cause of 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States annually.”
Radon is an invisible, odorless gas found in homes throughout the area, and it poses serious health risks over time. The only way to know if your home has elevated radon levels is through testing. If readings above the EPA’s action level of 4 picocuries per liter are discovered, the Henry and Stark County Health Department offers detailed guidance on reducing radon exposure at www.henrystarkhealth.com or through their Environmental Health Division. Affordable $15 radon home testing kits are available. For more details, call your nearest location: Kewanee at 309-852-0197, Colona at 309-792-4011, or Toulon at 309-852-3115. Stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates.