Radon Action Month

Governor Kim Reynolds has designated January as “Radon Action Month” in Iowa. Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, naturally-occurring gas that causes no immediate health symptoms, but long-term exposure may cause lung cancer.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the entire state of Iowa has a very high potential for elevated levels of radon gas. The Iowa Radon Survey has indicated Iowa has the largest percentage of homes above the EPA acceptable radon level. IDPH and the U.S. EPA strongly encourage all Iowans to test their homes for radon, mitigate the home if the radon level is determined to be at or above 4 pC/L and retest every two years.

Radon gas seeps into a house the same way air or other soil gases enter: from the soil around and under the home; through cracks in the foundation, floor or walls; through hollow-block walls; and through openings around floor drains, pipes and sump pumps. Radon has been detected in new and old homes, and in homes with or without basements.

Test kits are simple to use and typically cost less than $20. To order a test kit or learn additional information about radon, call the Radon Hotline at 1-800-383-5992 or visit idph.iowa.gov/radon.