As of January 1, 2008 sellers will be required to provide the buyer with a pamphlet entitled “Radon Testing Guidelines for Real Estate Transactions” and “Illinois Disclosure of Information of Radon Hazards.”

Radon is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas that occurs naturally.  The problem arises when radon gas gets trapped inside our homes with no way of dissipating.  Unsafe levels of radon in homes were found in almost half of the homes tested in 2003 and 2004.  Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer. 

The test is simple and takes only 48 hours to conduct.  A monitor is placed in the basement or crawl space.  Another monitor can also be placed in an upstairs room.  Over the course of 48 hours the data is taken and averaged out.  If the levels are above a 4, then remediation is recommended.

When asked by a buyer if they should spend the money on a Radon Test, I always say yes.  It is worth the money for piece of mind. Radon Testers, Inc. is a family owner business in Wheaton providing radon testing.  I have used them often in my real estate transactions.  I have always received the highest level of service and quality work.

I will assume that when sellers are required to sign a disclosure and hand out brochures that more and more people will have their potential home tested.  Let's hope this step reduces the number of cases of lung cancer and saves countless lives/.