Pulaski County, IL: Radon Risk Data
EPA predicts average indoor levels below 2 pCi/L · Source: EPA, CDC
Tipper's take on Pulaski County
Pulaski County is in EPA Zone 3, the lowest risk classification. The EPA predicts average indoor radon levels below 2 pCi/L here, well below the agency's action level of 4 pCi/L. CDC testing data puts the county average at 2 pCi/L, though the CDC flags this as a small sample size. Treat it as directional, not definitive.
Zone 3 is good news. Lower risk isn't no risk, though. Radon depends on your specific home's foundation, soil, and construction as much as county-level geology. Homes with basements, older construction, or foundation cracks can test above 4 pCi/L even in low-risk counties.
Tipper's take: if you've never tested, a one-time check is reasonable and cheap. If you've already tested below 2 pCi/L, you're in good shape. Retest every two years or after any major renovation.
Sources: EPA Radon Zone Map, CDC Environmental Public Health Tracking Network
Test Your Home
The only way to know your home's radon level is to test it. Tipper recommends starting with a short-term test kit. It includes the lab fee, takes 48 hours, and costs about $15.
Radon Professionals Serving Illinois
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How Pulaski County Compares
vs. Illinois Statewide
Pulaski County's average of 2 pCi/L is 3.0 pCi/L below the statewide average.
Frequently Asked Questions: Pulaski County
Pulaski County is Zone 3. Do I really need to test?
Zone 3 is the lowest risk category, so statistically most homes here test fine. Tipper's honest answer is that a one-time test is still worth doing. Radon depends on your specific home's foundation and soil as much as county-level data. If you test below 2 pCi/L, you're done. 48 hours and $15 for real peace of mind.
What is the EPA's action level, and why 4 pCi/L?
The EPA recommends fixing your home if it tests at or above 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). There's no completely safe level. Radon exposure is a spectrum. But 4 pCi/L is where the EPA concludes mitigation is clearly cost-effective. The WHO sets a lower reference level of 2.7 pCi/L. If your home is between 2 and 4 pCi/L, mitigation is optional but worth considering, especially in bedrooms.
How often should I retest for radon?
If your home tested below 4 pCi/L and nothing major has changed structurally, retesting every two years is a good habit. Retest immediately after any significant basement renovation, after buying or selling a home, or after installing a mitigation system (to confirm it's working). Radon levels can shift as foundations settle and conditions change.
Is radon worse in basements than upper floors?
Generally, yes. Radon enters through foundation cracks, floor-wall joints, and gaps around pipes, all concentrated at ground level. Basement living spaces and bedrooms tend to have the highest concentrations. Upper floors typically have lower levels, though radon can still build up in poorly ventilated rooms. Test in the lowest livable level of your home first.
State Overview
Radon Data for Illinois