January is National Radon Action Month; Learn How to Test Your Home

Radon is an invisible radioactive gas found all over the U.S., but Iowa has some of the nation’s highest levels of radon. Radon causes no immediate health symptoms; however, long-term exposure can lead to lung cancer. 

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, indoor radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, it is the first leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Each year, radon kills more people than drunk driving accidents, falls in the home, drowning and house fires. The good news is you can fix a radon problem.   

Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil. The only way to know the radon level in your home is to test. A simple test kit can reveal the amount of radon in any building. Buildings with high levels can usually be fixed safely and affordably, and new homes can be built with radon-resistant features. Every new home, however, should be tested after occupancy regardless of whether or not it was built to be radon-resistant.   

Learn more about testing your home and how to obtain a kit.