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Radon is a radioactive, colorless,
odorless, tasteless gas produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks Because radon is a gas, it can migrate
through rocks and soils, escaping into fractures and openings in rocks and into ground water. Radon moves more readily through
permeable soils, such as sand and gravel, and through fractures in rocks. Radon moving through soil near the earth's surface
usually escapes into the atmosphere. Radon gas may seep into our homes through construction joints, cracks in the foundation,
or the water supply. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's action level (the level at which steps should be taken to
reduce radon) is 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). About 1 out of every 15 houses in the U.S. has radon levels exceeding
the recommended action level. Iowa is the number one state for Radon in the country.
Cedar County Public Health has Radon test kits available for $5.00.
They are easy to use and accurate. 8AM -4 PM Mon thru Fri -Basement of the Courthouse.
| Where do you live? Have you tested your home? |
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| These are averages of areas. You won't know until you test your home. |
Radon is a radioactive gas - that means it continuously decays and releases radiation.
It is produced from minerals in soil, such as uranium and radium.
Although radon is present throughout the environment,
when high levels are present indoors people are exposed to more of its radiation and their risk of cancer increases. Such
a situation can be discovered easily and corrected.
Why is radon a common problem in Iowa homes?
Much of
the soil in the Upper Midwest contains widespread uranium and radium. These minerals continuously break down to release radon
gas. Therefore, Iowa's geology provides an ongoing supply of radon.
In addition, a large percentage of Iowa homes
have high levels of radon in the indoor air because of how they are built and how they operate in our climate. One important
factor is that many Iowa homes have basements that are used as living spaces.
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