The short version
Orland Park is a Cook County suburb southwest of Chicago. Across 2,154 radon tests recorded in Orland Park ZIP codes, the average result was about 3.4 pCi/L—just below the EPA's 4 pCi/L action level, but squarely in the 2–4 range where the EPA says to consider a fix.4 An average under 4 doesn't mean your home is safe—test it to be sure.
Fastest reliable path: put a continuous monitor in your lowest lived-in level for at least a week. Our top pick is the RadonEye RD200, or see the full best radon detectors guide.
Radon risk in Orland Park and Illinois
Orland Park radon at a glance
3.4
avg pCi/L
2,154
tests recorded
36.3
highest pCi/L
Average of recorded radon tests in Orland Park ZIP codes (60462, 60467), IEMA measurement data.4
An average of 3.4 pCi/L is just under the 4 pCi/L action level—but an average is not a guarantee. It sits in the 2–4 range where the EPA already recommends considering a fix, individual Orland Park readings ran as high as 36.3 pCi/L, and roughly a third-to-half of Illinois tests come back at or above 4. Orland Park sits inside a high-radon state; according to the American Lung Association, citing IEMA:1
- 5.1The average indoor radon level in Illinois is 5.1 pCi/L—above the EPA's 4 pCi/L action level.
- ~45%About one in two homes tested in Illinois (roughly 45%) are at or above 4 pCi/L.
- 1,160As many as 1,160 Illinois residents per year are at risk of radon-related lung cancer.
The EPA maps every U.S. county into radon Zones 1–3, but stresses that elevated radon turns up in all three zones and that every home should be tested regardless of its zone.2
What counts as a high radon level?
The EPA recommends fixing your home at 4 pCi/L or higher, and considering a fix between 2 and 4 pCi/L.2 With Orland Park's local average sitting in that 2–4 band, a fair number of homes here land in “consider a fix” or “fix” territory—so the number your own test returns matters. If it's 4 or higher, the next step is mitigation.
How to test your Orland Park home
Continuous monitor (recommended)
Reusable, shows levels day to day, and confirms a fix later. The RadonEye RD200 is our accuracy-per-dollar pick; the Airthings Wave Plus adds air-quality sensors.
Buy RadonEye RD200 →Charcoal test kit (cheapest)
An EPA-approved short-term kit is the cheapest way to get a first number; you mail it to a lab. See our radon test kit picks.
How to test for radon →Place the device in your lowest lived-in level, 20"+ off the floor and away from drafts, and let it run at least seven days. Not sure home monitors can be trusted? See are radon detectors accurate?
Buying or selling in Orland Park? Know the Illinois rules
Under the Illinois Radon Awareness Act, sellers of residential property must give buyers a radon disclosure form and the IEMA radon pamphlet, and disclose any known radon records, before a sale.3 Illinois also requires radon measurement and mitigation to be performed by IEMA-licensed professionals.3
If you need to reduce levels, a typical system runs several hundred to a few thousand dollars—see our radon mitigation cost guide, or the best radon fans if you're a confident DIYer.
Test your Orland Park home
An average near the action level means your home's own number is what counts.
See the Best Radon Detectors →Frequently Asked Questions
Does Orland Park have a radon problem?
Some homes do. Across 2,154 radon tests recorded in Orland Park ZIP codes in IEMA's measurement data, the average was about 3.4 pCi/L—just below the action level but in the 2–4 “consider a fix” range—with readings as high as 36.3 pCi/L.4 An average under 4 doesn't mean every home is safe. Statewide, IEMA data (via the American Lung Association) puts the average at 5.1 pCi/L with about one in two tested homes at or above 4.1 Test your own home.
What radon level is dangerous?
The EPA recommends fixing at 4 pCi/L or higher and considering a fix between 2 and 4.2 There is no completely safe level, so lower is better.
Do I still need to test if my neighbor's level is low?
Yes—levels differ significantly between neighboring homes due to foundation, construction, and soil. The EPA recommends testing every home individually.2
Is radon disclosure required when selling in Illinois?
Yes. The Illinois Radon Awareness Act requires sellers to give buyers a radon disclosure form and pamphlet and disclose known radon records before a sale.3
What's the best radon detector for an Orland Park home?
For continuous monitoring, the RadonEye RD200 is our accuracy-per-dollar pick; the Airthings Wave Plus adds air-quality sensors. See the full best radon detectors guide.
Sources
- American Lung Association, Radon in Illinois (statistics attributed to Illinois IEMA): state average 5.1 pCi/L, ~45% of tested homes at/above 4 pCi/L, up to 1,160 residents/year at risk.
- U.S. EPA, EPA Map of Radon Zones: 4 pCi/L action level; consider fixing 2–4 pCi/L; test every home regardless of zone.
- Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), Radon Program: Illinois Radon Awareness Act disclosure requirements and radon professional licensing.
- Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), Interactive Radon Map (measurement records from licensed professionals, highest result per address). Query of Orland Park ZIP codes 60462, 60467: 2,154 tests, average 3.4 pCi/L, maximum 36.3 pCi/L.