Get Your Home Tested For

RADON the silent killer

WHAT IS RADON?
Radon is a natural
radioactive gas that is
odorless, tasteless, and The
colorless.

As radon decays, it releases

radioactive byproducts that
Radon forms when uranium in are inhaled and can cause
soil or rock breaks down. The cancer.
gas can enter your home
through cracks in: Radon causes 21,000 lung
walls cancer deaths each year
basement floors and is the LEADING cause
foundations of lung cancer in 
other openings nonsmokers in the United
or seep into ground water. States.

IOWANS ARE AT THE HIGHEST RISK

5 in 7 homes have elevated radon levels

RADON LEVELS EPA RECOMMENDED
ACTION LEVEL
Radon is measured in picocuries per The EPA recommends a radon action
liter (pCi/L). level of  4.0 pCi/L, or the same as

1.0 pCi/L of radon in your home is the

100chest x-rays.
Hospitals limit patients to less than
same as smoking 2.5 cigarettes per day. 4 x-rays per year.

Average Indoor EPA Average Indoor

Radon Level in Recommended Radon Level in
the United States Action Level Iowa

1.3 4.0 8.5

pCi/L pCi/L pCi/L

TEST YOUR HOME

Testing is the only way to determine if radon is a problem
in your home. Test your home every 2 years.

SHORT-TERM TEST LONG-TERM TEST

Takes 2 to 7 days Takes 3 to 6 months

Provides snapshot of radon levels Provides average of radon levels

Most convenient Most accurate

108%
Radon testing has led to more people using radon reduction techniques.
 Get Your Home Tested for
RADON the silent killer

SOLUTIONS TO MITIGATE
FIXING THE PROBLEM
RADON EXPOSURE
The
1 Contact your local radon mitigation specialist.

2 Install a radon mitigation system.

A radon mitigation system requires a vent

pipe, fan, and proper sealing of cracks. 
The system collects gas from the
foundation of your home and vents it to
outside your home.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT RADON?

Call your state representatives

Iowa does not have a state law
requiring new homes to have
radon-resistant materials and
construction.

Radon mitigation systems are

expensive.

Radon resistant new

construction practices would
help reduce the cost, a major
barrier to mitigation, and
potential unknown exposure.

To purchase low-cost test kits and

for more information call
 1-800-383-5992
or visit
   Iowa
            Department
                             of
     Public
              Health
         
    
idph.iowa.gov/radon