Test Your Home for Radon: High Levels of Cancer-Causing Gas Found in 58% of Iowa Homes

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. According to the Lung Association’s recently released “State of Lung Cancer” report, about 58% of homes tested for radon in Iowa had results that were at or above the action level recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During January’s National Radon Action Month, the Lung Association in Iowa strongly urges all residents to test their home for radon and take immediate steps to mitigate the threat if elevated levels are found.

“Radon is an invisible danger, appearing at high levels in far too many homes across Iowa. Unfortunately, too few people are aware of the potentially devastating effects of radon exposure. We’re committed to educating and empowering residents to protect their homes and families,” said Alexis Gigliello, Manager of Nationwide Health Promotions, Indoor Air Quality for the Lung Association. “Any home can have a radon problem, and testing is the only way to know if your home is safe. Thankfully, testing is easy, affordable and readily available at local hardware stores and through trusted online retailers.”

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the soil that can accumulate indoors. It is colorless, odorless and tasteless. Radon can enter a home through cracks and openings in walls, basements, floors and foundations. High amounts of radon have been found in every state with an estimated one in 15 homes nationwide reporting radon levels above the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L. In Iowa, it’s estimated that as many as five in seven homes have high radon levels. Elevated radon levels can be found in single and multi-family homes, apartments, schools and other buildings.

Once indoors, radon can build up to dangerous levels and release radioactive particles that attack your lungs with dangerous, cancer-causing radiation. Radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths annually in the U.S. There is no known safe exposure level. Radon exposure has no immediate symptoms, irritating effects or warning signs.

The only way to detect radon in your home is to test for it. Do-it-yourself test kits are simple to use, inexpensive and can save lives. The Lung Association and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services have partnered to provide free radon testing kits to Iowans while supplies last. Radon testing is recommended every five years and every two years if you have a mitigation system.

EPA recommends installing a mitigation system if radon levels are above 4 pCi/L and considering similar actions if radon levels are above 2 pCi/L. Radon mitigation should always be completed by a certified radon professional. A typical radon mitigation system consists of a vent pipe and properly sealing cracks and other openings. This system collects radon gas from underneath the home’s foundation and vents it to the outside. Contact the Iowa radon program for a list of certified professionals.

Schools and workplaces are the second largest source of radon exposure behind homes. All schools in Iowa are required to test their school buildings for radon by July 1, 2027 in accordance with the Gail Orcutt Radon Safety Act. The Lung Association's Clean Air School Challenge has mini-grant opportunities available for schools to support radon reduction efforts like testing and mitigation. Learn more at Lung.org/casc.

To increase awareness about radon’s health hazards, the Lung Association and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with EPA Region 7, have recently launched the 2026 Iowa Radon Poster and Video Contests. Iowa students ages 9-14 are invited to submit a poster and high school students are invited to submit a video to raise awareness of radon and encourage home testing. A state committee will select the top three winning posters from throughout the state to receive awards. Learn more about poster contest details here and video contest details here.

If you smoke, reduce your risk of lung cancer by quitting. Smoking and radon are the number one and number two leading causes of lung cancer in the U.S. If you smoke and are exposed to high radon levels in your home or workplace, your risk of developing lung cancer is especially high. If you are ready to start your journey to quit for good, the Lung Association offers resources at Lung.org/quit-smoking.

To learn more about the potential health risks of radon, testing and mitigation, visit at Lung.org/radon and take the Lung Association’s free Radon Basics course at Lung.org/radon-basics. More information on radon mitigation from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is available here.

This program is made possible by the Iowa Cancer Consortium and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services