RADON FACT SHEET

The American Medical Association, the American Lung Association (ALA), the Surgeon General, and others confirm that radon is a leading environmental health risk.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tests show Iowa to have the highest percentage of homes over the recommended action level of 4 picocuries per liter of air.

What is radon?
Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown (radioactive decay) of radium, which is itself a decay product of uranium. Uranium and radium are both common elements in the soil.

Where is radon found?
The major source of high levels of radon in homes is soil surrounding the house that may contain uranium, granite, shale, phosphate and pitchblende. The radon gas from the soil can enter a home or building through dirt floors, hollow-block walls, cracks in the foundation floor and walls, and openings around floor drains, pipes and sump pumps.

Radon is often more highly concentrated in basements, ground floors and the first floor of homes.

Radon problems have been identified in every state, and nationwide tests are being conducted to identify the extent and magnitude of the problem. EPA estimates that as many as one in 15 homes in the U.S. have elevated radon levels. Any home may have a radon problem. Homes without basements can have a radon problem. ALA and EPA recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. Testing in schools is also recommended.

What are the health effects of radon?
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, resulting in thousands of deaths each year in the United States. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
As radon decays and is inhaled into the lungs, its byproducts release energy that can damage sensitive lung tissue and lead to lung cancer.
For non-smokers, exposure to elevated radon levels can increase the risk of lung cancer as much as smoking can. For smokers, exposure to radon is an especially serious health risk.

How is radon measured?
Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). No level of radon is considered absolutely safe; however, the average indoor level is 1.3 pCi/L.
The ALA and EPA recommend that action be taken when indoor levels are above 4 picocuries per liter.

What should a home owner do?

1. Test your home for radon. Do-it-yourself test kits are available from many retail stores or call a professional.
2. Fix your home if radon levels are over 4 pCi/L.
   Professional contractors must be certified by the Iowa Department of Public Health. Knowledgeable home owners may take corrective action to reduce radon levels in their own homes (EPA pamphlets are available). Testing for radon is easy and relatively inexpensive. Once identified, radon problems can be fixed by straight forward construction techniques.

If I am building a new home, should I consider installing a radon mitigation system?
YES! It is less expensive to install a system as you are building a new home than it is to install one into an already existing home. As people are becoming more aware of radon as a problem in the area, the systems will become more familiar and sought after.