January is National Radon Action Month, and CG Public Health is urging residents to test their homes for the dangerous gas.
Health officials say radon levels are a serious concern across Iowa, with testing showing more than 70 percent of homes statewide have elevated levels. Radon is colorless, odorless and tasteless, meaning the only way to know if it is present is through testing.
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers and the second-leading cause overall. According to the American Lung Association’s 2024 State of Lung Cancer report, Iowa continues to rank among the worst states in the nation for lung cancer incidence.
CG Public Health environmental health specialist Tim Hitchcock says elevated radon levels are common in Cerro Gordo County and pose long-term health risks if left unaddressed.
To help protect families, CG Public Health is offering one free at-home radon test kit per household to Cerro Gordo County residents during January, while supplies last. Kits are available at the CG Public Health office during regular business hours.
