Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in Iowa, behind cigarette smoking. According to the National Cancer Institute, scientists estimate that radon exposure is responsible for approximately 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year.
The American Lung Association reports that all of Iowa has elevated radon levels, putting residents statewide at increased risk of exposure inside their homes.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that enters buildings through cracks and openings in foundations. Because it is odorless, colorless and tasteless, homeowners cannot detect it without testing. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also warns that radon can affect homes with or without basements.
Washington County Environmental Health Director Jason Taylor recommends testing homes every two to three years, even if previous tests showed safe levels.
“It is recommended to test your home every two to three years because as things change in the soil, with small earthquakes and things, new cracks form,” Taylor said. “So, then if your home say two years ago didn’t have radon, it’s possible that it has it now.”
The good news is that radon problems can be addressed. According to the EPA, radon reduction systems can lower indoor radon levels by up to 99 percent. These systems typically draw radon-contaminated air from beneath a home’s foundation and safely vent it outside.
The cost of installing a mitigation system is generally between $1,500 and $3,000, although the final price depends on the home’s size, design and the type of system required.
With November marking Lung Cancer Awareness Month, homeowners are encouraged to make radon testing part of their household safety routine. Testing is the only way to know whether radon is present at elevated levels, and taking action can help reduce a preventable risk of lung cancer.
For more information about radon testing and mitigation, visit the Environmental Protection Agency at www.epa.gov/radon.
