January is National Radon Action Month

Test Your Home. Protect Your Health

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell, or taste but could be present at a dangerous level in your home. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. and the first leading cause among non-smokers. You can’t tell if there is radon in your home unless you test for it. If a high radon level is detected, you can take steps to fix it to protect yourself and your family.

Because of our soil composition, Iowa has the highest average radon concentration of any state in the U.S., with 7 of 10 homes having a radon concentration above 4pCi/L, which is considered too high by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Residents of Sioux County should be keenly aware of radon and the dangers it poses since average Sioux County levels are much higher even than the state of Iowa:

• United States average: 1.3 pCi/L
• Iowa average: 8.5 pCi/L
• Sioux County average: 10.3 pCI/L

High levels of radon can be found in any type of home, old or new. Testing your home for radon is simple and inexpensive and should be done every 3-4 years. It is best to test during winter months when doors and windows are kept closed. Commit to test your home this month.

Radon test kits are available for $10 at the Community Health Partners (CHP) office in Orange City (705 Hwy 10 W) and at most city offices throughout Sioux County. You can also purchase a kit from CHP’s website at www.siouxcountychp.org and it will be mailed to your house. Directions are included in the kit. If test results show elevated radon levels, you should talk to a certified radon mitigation specialist. They will work with you to reduce the level of radon in your home.

For more information about radon or test kits, contact Community Health Partners of Sioux County:

Phone – 712.737.2971

Email – [email protected]

Website – www.siouxcountychp.org