HR0816enr 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0816 Enrolled LRB096 17178 GRL 32514 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION 816

WHEREAS, Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that comes from the radioactive decay of naturally-occurring uranium in the soil; and

WHEREAS, The United States Surgeon General issued a Health Advisory warning Americans that indoor radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and that breathing radon over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Radon Awareness Act requires sellers to provide anyone buying a home, condominium, or other residential property in Illinois with information about indoor radon exposure and how radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers; and

WHEREAS, The United States Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that the number of annual lung cancer deaths related to radon is 21,000; an estimated 1,160 Illinois citizens may develop radon-related lung cancer every year; and

WHEREAS, In accordance with our commitment to protecting the citizens of Illinois from the health risks associated with radon, the month of January 2008 was designated "Radon Action Month" by the Governor; and

WHEREAS, Over 50,000 measurements have been taken in the State of Illinois since 2002, with homes exceeding the EPA's Radon Action Level of 4.0 pCi/L being corrected; the State of Illinois and the American Lung Association of Illinois encourages all citizens to test their homes every 2 years; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the American Lung Association of Illinois are partnering to provide radon information and guidance to the citizens of Illinois in testing their homes to find out how much radon they might be breathing; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the American Lung Association of Illinois, the University of Illinois Extension Office, the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency are sponsoring video and poster contests for students to increase public awareness of radon and to encourage people to test their homes; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate January of 2011 as "Radon Action Month" in the State of Illinois in order to raise awareness of radon and its effects on families in the State of Illinois and the nation at large; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the citizens of this State to regularly test their homes for radon and reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by taking corrective action when necessary.