This is Part 1 of a 5-part educational series for #NationalRadonActionMonth.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It comes from the natural breakdown or decay of uranium, which is found in soil and rock all over the United States and the world. Radon travels through the ground and into the air above, entering buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Every building has the potential for unsafe levels of radon. If radon becomes trapped inside, it can build up and become a health safety problem in buildings.
Radon decays into radioactive particles that can become trapped in lungs, releasing small bursts of radiation. This radiation may damage the body’s DNA and lung tissue, and lead to an increased risk of lung cancer over the course of a person’s lifetime. The higher the level of radon and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk. Because radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, the only way to know if radon is present is to test for it.
EAIS can help
While there is no “acceptable level” of radon, the EPA has established 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) as the United States “Action Level” at which a plan should be made to correct elevated radon levels. Since 2015 EAIS has engaged Iowa school districts with its School Radon Training & Support System to train and coach district staff through the process of testing their buildings for radon. For more information about EAIS radon work, click here.