Orange City, Iowa — The Sioux County Health Department is trying to warn people that everyone in northwest Iowa should have their home checked for radon.
They tell us radon is a naturally-occurring gas that can build up in your home. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who do not smoke. You can’t see radon, or smell it, or taste it. You can’t tell if there is radon in your home unless you test for it. They tell us homes should be tested for radon every 3-4 years. High levels of radon can be found in any type of home.
And it’s worse than that. Because homes in northwest Iowa have a much higher risk to have radon issues than homes elsewhere. 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. They tell us that 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 rest of the State of Iowa:
· United States average: 1.3 pCi/L
· Iowa average: 8.5 pCi/L
· Sioux County average: 11.1 pCI/L
Sioux County Community Health Partners tell us testing your home for radon is simple and inexpensive. Radon test kits are available through Community Health Partners for $10 and at city offices throughout Sioux County or can be ordered at https://siouxcountychp.org/radon-kit-order/. Directions are included in the kit. It is important to test your home during winter months when doors and windows have been kept closed.
Sioux County Community Health Partners Community Health Services Director Kim Westerholm says if your home does have high levels of radon, there are some things you can do about it.
For more information about radon, see http://www.lung.org/radon, call the American Lung Association of Iowa at 515-309-9507, or email info@lung.org. For more information about radon test kits, contact Community Health Partners of Sioux County (712) 737-2971 or chp@siouxcountychp.org.
