Could Radon in Your Home Be Causing Your Child’s Asthma?

As a parent in Lockport, Illinois, you do everything possible to keep your children safe and healthy—preparing nutritious meals, encouraging exercise, and ensuring they get plenty of sleep. But what if a hidden danger in your home is silently worsening your child’s asthma?

Understanding Asthma and Its Triggers

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes inflammation and sensitivity in the airways. When exposed to certain triggers, these airways can tighten, leading to wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Common asthma triggers include allergens like dust mites, pollen, mold, and pet dander, as well as irritants such as tobacco smoke and strong odors. But one often-overlooked trigger is poor indoor air quality, which can be significantly affected by radon.

Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, and radon is a key contributor to this pollution.

What Is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released from the decay of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Outdoors, it disperses harmlessly, but inside, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels—especially in basements and lower levels. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and recent studies suggest it may also contribute to respiratory issues like asthma, particularly in children.

How Radon Enters Your Home

Radon seeps into homes through cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, and other openings in walls and floors. Without proper ventilation or mitigation, it can accumulate to unhealthy concentrations, putting your family at risk.

The Link Between Radon and Asthma

While radon is most commonly associated with lung cancer, emerging research indicates it may also play a role in worsening asthma symptoms or even contributing to asthma development in children. When inhaled, radon decays into radioactive particles that can damage lung tissue—potentially exacerbating asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Why Children Are Especially Vulnerable

Children breathe faster than adults, taking in more air relative to their body size, and often spend more time indoors—particularly in playrooms or bedrooms located in basements where radon levels can be highest. These factors make children more susceptible to the harmful effects of radon exposure.

Testing for Radon: Why Professional Testing Matters

Radon is impossible to detect without testing. Because it’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless, you won’t know it’s there until you test. While DIY kits exist, professional testing with certified equipment from Quality Environmental Testing Inc. provides accurate, reliable results you can trust. Our trained professionals ensure testing devices are placed correctly and results are interpreted properly—giving you peace of mind.

Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The EPA recommends taking action if levels are at or above 4 pCi/L, but even levels between 2 and 4 pCi/L may warrant mitigation.

Reducing Radon Levels: Trust Certified Professionals

If your home tests high for radon, don’t panic—effective mitigation techniques can reduce levels and protect your family. The most common method is sub-slab depressurization, where a vent pipe and fan system draw radon from beneath the house and expel it outside.

Other techniques include:

• Sealing cracks and openings in the foundation.

• Installing vapor barriers in crawl spaces.

• Increasing ventilation in key areas.

DIY radon mitigation is not recommended. Improper installation can leave radon problems unresolved—or even make them worse.

Preventative Measures for Homeowners

• Test your home regularly—especially if you haven’t tested before, or if you’ve done renovations that could affect your home’s foundation.

• Incorporate radon-resistant construction techniques if building or remodeling, such as gas-permeable layers beneath foundations, sealed openings, and vent pipe systems.

• Maintain your home by sealing new cracks in floors and walls and ensuring proper ventilation, particularly in basements and crawl spaces.

Creating a Healthy Home Beyond Radon

Reducing radon is only one part of maintaining a healthy indoor environment. Additional steps to improve indoor air quality and reduce asthma triggers include:

• Using HEPA air purifiers to remove allergens.

• Keeping humidity between 30–50% to prevent mold and dust mites.

• Choosing natural cleaning products to avoid respiratory irritants.

Conclusion: Take Action for Your Family’s Health

Could your home’s radon levels be aggravating your child’s asthma or putting your family’s health at risk? Don’t leave it to chance—schedule professional radon testing in Lockport, IL, with Quality Environmental Testing Inc. Our licensed team provides precise testing, clear reporting, and trusted recommendations to ensure your home’s air is safe. We proudly serve Lockport and surrounding communities, helping Illinois homeowners breathe easier and live healthier.

Call 708-243-5945 or visit qualityenvironmentaltesting.com to book your test today and take the first step toward cleaner, safer indoor air.