Radon and Your Health

According to the EPA, Iowa is in the highest zone for radon. This means that the entire state on average has at least 4pCi/L (picocuries per liter). When a home is found to have a level of 4pCi/L the EPA recommends that immediate action is taken. This is because levels of over 4 pCi/L have been linked to around 20,000 radon-related deaths every year in the United States.

The Facts:

  • Radon is undetectable by human senses and nearly impossible to notice until it is too late.
  • It takes years of exposure to high levels of radon (levels over 4pCi/L) for symptoms or problems to surface.
  • Radon does cause Cancer, although some scientist dispute the number of deaths due to radon, every major health organization stands behind the numbers and the fact that is completely preventable.
  • Radon Testing is easy, contact Des Moines Radon today to schedule your testing appointment.
  • Radon is easy to mitigate down to a level below 4pCi/L and many times down to 2pCi/L or below.
  • No home is considered “safe” from Radon. Radon gas can get trapped in all types of homes, older homes, new construction homes, insulated homes, homes with or without basements, etc. There are many factors that play a role in Radon getting into your home so your best and safest bet is to get it tested.
  • High Radon levels are found in every state but Iowa is extremely high. The only way to know if your home has a Radon problem that needs to be addressed is to have it tested.
  • Your neighbor’s radon test results are a poor indication of the radon levels in your home. The only way you can know what your homes radon levels really are is to test it.
  • Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, it actually cause more lung cancer deaths each year than second-hand smoke.

The Stats:

  • Radon will be the cause of 15,000-22,000 deaths this year.
  • Radon kills more people each year than drunk driving, falls in the home, drowning, and home fires.
  • Radon exposure of 20pCi/L can cause 36 people in every 1000 to develop lung cancer.
  • When Radon exposure of 20pCi/L is combined with Smoking can cause 260 people in every 1000 to develop lung cancer.