PFAS /Forever Chemicals Forever in the Faucet: PFAS in every Pour https://www.newsweek.com/states-drinking-water-most-pfas-contaminated-map-2117733 April 2025 - United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA): An estimated 172 Americans are drinking water contaminated with PFAS chemicals. PFAS in America: What You Need to Know Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of human-made chemicals used since the 1940s in products like nonstick cookware, wa

Water is Life - What if the cleanest-looking water you’ve ever seen carried chemicals that could last longer than your lifetime? That’s the reality with PFAS and PFAAs — invisible pollutants that challenge even the most advanced water testing methods. What Are PFAS and PFAAs? PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a large family of synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s in products like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foams, and food packaging.

Three factors converge in Illinois winters to drive indoor radon concentrations to their annual highs: 1. Closed-building effect: When outdoor temperatures drop below freezing, windows and doors stay shut for months. Without natural ventilation, radon that seeps into the home has nowhere to go and accumulates steadily. 2. Stack effect: Warm indoor air rises and exits through upper portions of the building. This creates a slight negative pressure at the foundation level — esse

An ASD system consists of four main components: Suction pit(s): One or more holes drilled through the concrete slab to access the aggregate layer beneath Piping: PVC pipe routed from the suction pit(s) through the building and to the exterior Fan: A continuously operating fan that maintains negative pressure beneath the slab Discharge point: The pipe terminates above the roofline or to the side of the building, away from windows and air intakes

Radon mitigation is the process of reducing elevated radon concentrations inside a building to safe levels. In northern Illinois, the most effective and widely used technique is Active Sub-Slab Depressurization (ASD), a system that creates negative pressure beneath a building's foundation slab to prevent radon from entering the living space.

Not necessarily, but the regional geology puts all northern Illinois homes at elevated risk. Testing is the only way to know.

Short-term professional testing takes 48–96 hours. Long-term testing runs 90 days or more.

The EPA recommends mitigation when indoor radon levels reach or exceed 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Illinois also regulates the radon industry under the Illinois Radon Awareness Act (ILCS 420/7.9), requiring all radon measurement and mitigation professionals to be licensed by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). At US Environmental, all of our radon professionals hold current IEMA licenses and follow National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) and National Radon

Short-term tests use activated-charcoal canisters deployed for 48–96 hours under closed-house conditions. They provide a rapid screening snapshot and are appropriate for real estate transactions or initial screening. Long-term tests use alpha-track detectors deployed for 90 days to one year. Because radon levels fluctuate with seasons, weather patterns, and occupancy behavior, long-term tests give the most accurate picture of actual annual exposure.

EPA Action Level and Illinois Standards The EPA recommends mitigation when indoor radon levels reach or exceed 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Illinois also regulates the radon industry under the Illinois Radon Awareness Act (ILCS 420/7.9), requiring all radon measurement and mitigation professionals to be licensed by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). At USEnvironmental, all of our radon professionals hold current IEMA licenses and follow National Radon Profici

What is Radon? Radon is a radioactive noble gas that occurs naturally as uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making detection impossible without specialized tools. Health Risks of Radon The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) categorizes radon as a Group A human carcinogen. It is identified as the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, accounting for about 21,000 deaths each year. Why Chicago and Northern I

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Helpful information on radon gas for homeowners and real estate transactions

US ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING LLC Asbestos Inspection vs. Asbestos Testing Understanding the Difference Before You Renovate, Demolish, or Purchase a Property What Is an Asbestos Inspection? An asbestos inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of a building performed by a trained and accredited asbestos inspector. The purpose of the inspection is to identify materials that may contain asbestos, determine their condition, and assess whether sampling is necessary. During an inspectio