Iowa
IAQ/Radon
Program
Rick Welke, Mgr.
Radon Program
515-281-4928
rick.welke@idph.iowa.gov
www.idph.state.ia.
us/eh/radon.asp
Why is Radon Dangerous to Your Health?
It
is the first leading cause
of lung cancer in nonsmokers.
It
is the second leading
cause of lung cancer overall
after smoking .
It
is a Class A carcinogen.
Radon’s Characteristics
• Radon is a radioactive gas left behind during
the Glacial periods that comes from the
spontaneous radioactive decay of uranium and
radium that are naturally occurring and
ubiquitously spread throughout the upper soil
layer in Iowa.
• It cannot be detected by human senses
– Colorless, Odorless, and Tasteless
• Inert gas (does not chemically react)
• No Static Electrical Charge
Uranium-238

Thorium-234

Protactinium-234

Uranium-234

Thorium-230

Radium-226

Radon-222

Polonium-218
Bismuth-210

Polonium-210


Lead-214
Lead-206
(Stable)

Bismuth-214

Polonium-214

Lead-210

Uranium 238
Decay Series
Radon Compared to Other Risks
25000
20000
Radon in the US homes causes about 22,000 lung
cancer deaths per year - In Iowa, EPA estimates there
are about 399 deaths annually from exposure to radon
- more than
drownings
home fires
airline crashes
15000
10000
5000
0
Drunk Home Drowning
Driving Radon
Home Airline
Fires Crashes
U.S. EPA Comparison of
Environmental Risks
Annual
Cancer Deaths
Pesticide Applications
100
Hazardous Waste Sites
1,100
Toxic Outdoor Pollutants
2,000
Pesticide Residues on Food 6,000
RADON
22,000
Sources of R adiation E xp osure to
the U .S. P opulation

A ssum es average
indoor radon
concentration of 1.3
pC i /L .

R adon is by far the
greatest single source
of radiation to the
general public.

IA /w 8.5 pC i /L A vg.
R adon
55%
M edical X - R ays
11%
O ther
1%
Internal
11%
N uclear M edicine
4%
C osm ic
8%
C onsu m er P roducts
3%
T errestrial
8%
~ 75%
42
WHY IS RADON AN
IMPORTANT
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE
IN IOWA?
“Iowa has the highest
portion of homes with
elevated indoor radon in the
U.S.”
“5 out of 7 homes test high”
Radon in Iowa Homes
January 1988
Radon Zone Map
Legend
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
Testing is the only way to know if
you and your family are at risk
Why Does Radon Get Into Your
Home?
Radon is sucked
Radon isfrom
sucked
indoors
theindoors
soil from the soil
What If My House Has?……..








You cannot predict radon levels based on:
Heating System
Foundation Type
Age of Structure
Air-tightness
Style of House
Presence of sumps, cracks or other features
You just have to test to find out!
•EPA and IDPH recommend you mitigate or fix a home
when you find radon levels at or over 4 pCi/L.
•Remember -- Radon levels can be reduced!!
Where do You Find A Radon Test Kit ?

Call 800/383-5992: ALA sells ST kits for $10
and LT kits for $25.
 Go to your County or City
EH or Public Health Office
(many sell ST kits for $5-10).
 Go to your local retail store
(many sell ST kits for $15-20).

Do not buy from Menards/or retail selling Prolab

Google: Iowa Radon Program.
Click on I feel lucky, and find the list of licensed
radon measurement specialists ($100-150; test results
in 48 hours)

Homes With High Radon
Concentrations
Can Be Remediated
Active soil depressurization is a means of
creating a vacuum beneath a slab or plastic
sheet and collecting the radon before it enters a
building.
THE END