Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds | Facebook/Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds | Facebook/Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds
Gov. Kim Reynolds proclaimed January as Radon Action Month so that citizens can be made aware of the risks it imposes and thus take appropriate steps to mitigate those risks.
“Governor Reynolds proclaimed January as Radon Action Month," the Iowa Department of Public Health tweeted. "Iowans are encouraged to test their homes for radon and mitigate elevated radon levels if found. Learn more about radon in Iowa: https://idph.iowa.gov/radon.”
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is a carcinogen. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Furthermore, it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in people that do smoke.
Reynolds signed the proclamation Dec. 29.
Approximately one in fifteen houses across the nation have an elevated radon level. In Iowa, it is one five of seven homes, according to the proclamation. The worst thing is that people cannot see, smell or taste radon, and yet it is present in their homes, and it takes approximately 21,000 American lives every year. However, this is a health risk that can be prevented if everyone has sufficient knowledge about it. For example, testing radon levels at home at regular intervals is a viable option.
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