We all know about the risks of driving impaired, driving distracted and certainly now, the dangers of contracting Covid-19. But there's another "silent killer" that is just as scary.

Living here in the state of Iowa, means there is a very good chance that radon is present in your home. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into homes from the ground and, in some cases, well water supply. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health surveys show that 7 in 10 homes contain radon concentrations above the U.S. EPA’s radon action level of 4 picoCuries/Liter (pCi/L). To go along with that, our state leads the nation in the percent of homes over 4 pCi/L. Plus, the average indoor radon concentration in Iowa is more than six times the national average. 

It comes as no surprise, that radon is the leading cause of environmental lung cancer death in Iowa. The IDPH states that "an estimated 400 deaths per year in Iowa are caused by radon induced lung cancer. That is approximately the same number of Iowans who die in traffic accidents each year."

January is "National Radon Action Month", so it's time to take action. Who should get their home tested? The answer is simple, EVERYBODY. There are several options for getting a test kit for your home, call the Iowa Radon Hotline at (800) 383-5992, contact your county public health department, order one on-line through the American Lung Association by clicking here, stop by your local home improvement store to pick up a do-it-yourself testing kit, or hire a qualified professional to conduct a radon test.

Don't worry, getting rid of radon in your home is possible through mitigation efforts, but first you must take the simple steps today to protect your loved ones.

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