Radon
Free Radon Test Kits Available Locally
Test your home for free! Access your free test kit from Mitchell County Public Health at 415 Pleasant Street, Osage, Iowa 50461. If your test is high, we will have you test your home again. If the Second Test confirms high radon levels you may have the opportunity to receive help with Radon Mitigation Funding if you qualify.
Radon Testing
Testing is simple, inexpensive, and an important step you can take to protect yourself and your family.
For more information or questions about radon testing, contact Mitchell County Public Health at 641-832-3500.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and can enter a home through cracks in the foundation, construction joints, openings around pipes, sump pits, crawl spaces, and other openings.
You cannot see, smell, or taste radon, so testing is the only way to know the radon level in your home. Radon can be present in new or older homes, with or without basements, and levels can vary significantly from one home to another.
Why Is Radon Testing Important?
Iowa has some of the highest radon levels in the country. Iowa HHS reports that the Iowa Radon Survey found 71.6% of Iowa homes above the EPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).
Long-term exposure to radon can damage cells in the lungs and lead to lung cancer. According to Iowa HHS and the EPA, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers and the second-leading cause of lung cancer overall.
Because there are no immediate symptoms of radon exposure, testing your home is the only way to know if you and your family are being exposed to elevated levels.
What If My Radon Level Is High?
The EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon when a home's level is 4 pCi/L or higher. The EPA also recommends considering action when levels are between 2 and 4 pCi/L, because there is no known safe level of radon exposure.
If elevated radon is found, a radon mitigation system can be installed to reduce the amount of radon entering the home. Iowa HHS provides information for locating credentialed radon mitigation specialists.
Radon Resources
Iowa HHS – Radon Information: Information about radon, testing your home, elevated test results, mitigation, and finding certified radon professionals.
Iowa HHS – Radon Resources: Includes Iowa-specific radon information and resources for homeowners, real estate, childcare providers, and health professionals.
Iowa HHS – Radon & You: A homeowner-friendly publication explaining what radon is, how it enters homes, health risks, testing, and ways to reduce radon exposure.
Find a Certified Radon Professional: Iowa HHS maintains information for finding certified radon measurement and mitigation specialists.
EPA – Radon Information: Additional information about testing, health risks, understanding results, and reducing radon levels.
