January 10, 2026

Radon is a serious – but preventable – health risk found in many Iowa homes. Because it has no smell, taste, or color, families often don’t know it’s there until they test for it. January is National Radon Action Month, making it an ideal time to learn about radon, test your home, and take steps to keep your family safe.

The Iowa Poison Control Center is encouraging all Iowans to understand the risks of radon exposure and take action to reduce it.

What is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It can enter homes and buildings through:

  • cracks in foundations or walls
  • gaps around pipes or wiring
  • sump pits and floor drains
  • unfinished crawl spaces

Once inside, radon can become trapped and build up to unsafe levels, especially during winter months when homes are closed up more tightly.

Why Radon Exposure is Dangerous

Long-term exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause among people who do not smoke.

Because radon has no warning signs, people may be exposed for years without realizing it. Over time, breathing radon damages lung tissue and significantly increases cancer risk.

Your risk is even higher if:

  • you smoke or live with someone who smokes
  • your home has high radon levels
  • you spend a lot of time in lower-level spaces (basement, garden-level rooms)

Children may be more vulnerable to radon exposure because their lungs are still developing, and they naturally breathe more rapidly than adults.

Iowa Homes Are Especially at Risk

Iowa has naturally high levels of radon in the soil, which means many homes, old or new, basement or slab, can have elevated radon levels.

Radon levels can vary widely from one home to another, even within the same neighborhood. The only way to know your home’s level is to test it.

How to Test Your Home for Radon

Testing is simple, affordable, and can be done any time of year, but winter is ideal because homes are usually closed up. Iowa Health and Human Services and the American Lung Association have partnered to provide free radon testing kits to Iowans. Visit lung.org/radon-test to learn more.

You can test using:

  • short-term radon test kits (usually 2–7 days)
  • long-term kits (90+ days)
  • professional radon testing services

Most test kits come with clear instructions and prepaid lab shipping.

After you test, your result will be reported in picocuries per liter (pCi/L).

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends fixing your home if results are 4.0 pCi/L or higher, but even lower levels can pose some risk.

Simple Steps You Can Take This Month

During National Radon Action Month, consider:

✔ Testing your home, especially if you’ve never tested before

✔ Retesting if your last test was several years ago

✔ Testing before buying or selling a home

✔ Sharing radon awareness with friends, neighbors, and family

Renters can also ask landlords whether their unit has been tested.

When to Call the Iowa Poison Control Center

While radon exposure happens slowly over time and does not cause immediate symptoms, people sometimes call the Iowa Poison Control Center with questions such as:

  • “We discovered high radon in our home, what should we do next?”
  • “Is my family at risk after years of exposure?”
  • “Who can I talk to about health concerns related to radon?”

Our specialists and medical toxicologists are available to:

  • answer health-related radon questions
  • review exposure concerns
  • connect you with guidance and resources

📞 Call us anytime at 1-800-222-1222

Calls are free, confidential, and available 24/7.

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