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On August 16, 2018, at 6 p.m. at the Monroe County Health Department, the Third Annual Radon Awareness Act Day Celebration was held. A free presentation on healthy home environments through radon reduction and the history of the IL Radon Awareness Act was given.
Radon test kits, packets of milkweed seed were given along with free admission tickets to Shaw Nature Reserve, Butterfly House or Missouri Botanical Garden (while supply lasts) all for $10.00
On August 16, 2007, the IL governor signed the Radon Awareness Act into law which occurred on the 32nd wedding anniversary of Joe and Gloria Linnertz. This law is the result of the death of Joe on February 8, 2006, from lung cancer—most likely caused from radioactive radon gas exposure in the home. At that time, IL Representative Dan Reitz filed a bill called the Radon Awareness Act which passed the IL House and Senate unanimously. Much appreciation goes to Dallas Jones of the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists for drafting the bill. Minnesota has duplicated this bill, and many lives are being saved as a result of increased radon testing at the point of sale and mitigation if the radon level is elevated. Many other radon laws have been passed in the state of IL since that time. Day care facilities must be tested and homes must be built with radon resistant features. However, what is lacking is the testing of all schools in the state of IL to protect our children, teachers, and staff.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 21,000 deaths annually due to radon-induced lung cancer. In 2005 the U.S. Surgeon General urged all homes be tested. It is suggested that homes be tested every two years because of changes that occur in the home and surrounding areas around the home. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the leading environmental cause of cancer mortality. It is easy to test and not very difficult to fix the problem if the level is high.
Gloria Linnertz
July 15, 2018
www.CitizensforRadioactiveRadonReduction.org
www.facebook.com/Citizens4RadonReduction.org
In Rememberance
RADON AWARENESS ACT DAY