Iowa's First Lady Urges Iowans to Test Homes for Radon

(January 12, 2012)—

Iowa’s First Lady, Chris Branstad, and the American Lung Association in Iowa are working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a nationwide campaign to educate Americans about the dangers of radon exposure and to encourage them to take action to protect their homes and families.

Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that is dispersed in outdoor air and can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings. Scientists have long been concerned about the health risk of radon, but never before has there been such overwhelming proof that exposure to elevated levels of radon causes lung cancer in humans.

“Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers,” explains Chris Branstad, Iowa’s First Lady. “However, because you can’t see or smell radon, people tend to downplay the health effects and ignore the possibility that there might be a silent killer in their homes.”

The EPA estimates that 7 in 10 Iowa homes contain radon concentrations above the recommended radon action level of 4 picoCuries/Liter.  Testing homes for elevated levels of radon is simple, inexpensive and can be completed with a radon test kit available through the American Lung Association in Iowa. 

Qualified contractors can protect your home from radon for a cost similar to that of many common home repairs such as painting or having a new water heater installed.

“Radon poses a serious threat to Iowan’s health but there is a straightforward solution,” continues Branstad. “I urge all Iowans to test their home for radon this month and provide peace of mind for themselves and their families.” 

For more information on radon, radon testing and mitigation, and radon-resistant new construction, call the Iowa Radon Hotline at 1.800.383.5992 or visit our website at www.healthhouse.org.