Hawkeye Reporter

This month is Radon Action Month, in Iowa and the rest of the nation.

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation Dec. 29, proclaiming January Radon Action Month in the state and the Iowa Department of Public Health posted a copy of that proclamation to its Twitter page on Monday, Jan. 3.

Gov. Kim Reynolds with a young constituent at the Iowa State Fair in August. | facebook.com/IAGovernor/

"Governor Reynolds proclaimed January as Radon Action Month," the health department said in its Twitter post. "Iowans are encouraged to test their homes for radon and mitigate elevated radon levels if found."

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that can cause cancer, the health department said on the radon page on its website. Radon is found in all 50 states but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found that "the entire state of Iowa is considered at high risk for radon gas in homes." 

"High levels of radon can be found in any type of home, so it is important for everyone to test their home," according to the state's health department.

Five out of seven Iowa homes has an elevated radon level, compared to one in fifteen houses across the U.S., according to the proclamaion.

January also is national Radon Action Month, a time when people are encouraged to test their homes, attend radon action events, spread the word and encourage others to take action against radon.

"You can't see, smell or taste radon, but it could be present at a dangerous level in your home," the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on the National Radon Action Month page on its website.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in the U.S., killing about 21,000 in the nation each year. The EPA and U.S. Surgeon General urge everyone in the U.S. to test their homes, schools and other buildings for radon.

"Exposure to radon is a preventable health risk and testing radon levels in your home can help prevent unnecessary exposure," according to the EPA. "If a high radon level is detected in your home, you can take steps to fix the problem to protect yourself and your family."