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Why is Radon Dangerous to Your Health?

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.

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Why is Radon Dangerous to Your Health?

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  1. Iowa IAQ/Radon ProgramRick Welke, Mgr. Radon Program 515-281-4928rick.welke@idph.iowa.govwww.idph.state.ia.us/eh/radon.asp

  2. 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.

  3. Radon’sCharacteristics • 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

  4. Uranium-238 Radon-222 Bismuth-210 Thorium-234 Polonium-210 Protactinium-234 Uranium-234 Thorium-230 Lead-210    Polonium-218    Lead-214 Lead-206 (Stable)   Bismuth-214   Polonium-214 Uranium 238 Decay Series   Radium-226  

  5. 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 Airline Crashes Drunk Driving Home Radon Home Fires Drowning Radon Compared to Other Risks

  6. U.S. EPA Comparison of Environmental Risks Annual Cancer Deaths Pesticide Applications Hazardous Waste Sites Toxic Outdoor Pollutants Pesticide Residues on Food RADON 100 1,100 2,000 6,000 22,000

  7. 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”

  8. Radon in Iowa HomesJanuary 1988

  9. Radon Zone Map Legend Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3

  10. Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk Residential Construction Team

  11. Why Does Radon Get Into Your Home? Radon is sucked indoors from the soil Radon is sucked indoors from the soil

  12. 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!!

  13. Where do You Find A Radon Test Kit ? • Call800/383-5992: 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)

  14. 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.

  15. THE END

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