Radon Action

The Carroll & Crawford County Health Department is urging Iowa residents to learn more about the hazards of radon exposure and to encourage them to take action to protect their homes and families. 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.

Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that can reach harmful levels when trapped in homes or buildings. Exposure to elevated levels of radon significantly increases the risk of lung cancer in people, whether they smoke or not. Smokers have an even greater risk.

Elevated radon levels have been found in homes in every county in Iowa. In some cases, the levels have been more than 50 times the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's action guidelines. Testing homes for elevated levels of radon is simple and inexpensive. If a radon problem is detected, fixing the problem can also be simple and inexpensive in many cases. A more complex radon problem can be fixed by contacting a certified Radon mitigator.

Radon test kits will be provided free of charge to residents living in Carroll & Crawford Counties (while supplies last). Carroll County residents can pick up a test kit at the Carroll County Environmental Health Department located in the basement of the Carroll County Courthouse. Crawford County residents can pick up their test kit at the Iowa State University Extension Office or at the Crawford County Home Health Office.

For general information on radon, radon testing and mitigation, and radon-resistant new construction, visit EPA's National Radon Web site at www.epa.gov/radon/nram. To obtain a Fact Sheet on Radon or if you have questions about where to pick up your free test kit, please call the Carroll & Crawford County Environmental Health Department at 712-792-9532.

http://www.epa.gov/radon/
 http://www.idph.state.ia.us/eh/common/pdf/radon/radioactive_gas.pdf
 http://www.idph.state.ia.us/eh/common/pdf/radon/action_plan.pdf