January is radon awareness month Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas produced by the natural decay of uranium and radium in the soil, Exposure to elevated radon levels increases the risk of developing lung cancer. The EPA estimates that 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States are due to radon. Iowa have a very high potential for elevated levels of radon gas, The average indoor concentration In Iowa is 8,5 pd'/L; this is six times the national average. Iowa also leads the nation in the percent of homes over the recommended 4 pd'/L action levels as well as the percent of homes over 20 pCi/L. Based on data collected from radon home tests, the Iowa Department of Public Health estimates that as many as 5 In 7 homes across Iowa have An estimated 400 deaths per year in Iowa are caused by radon-induced lung cancer. Page County Environmental Health can assist you In testing your home for Radon. We offer do it yourself test kits that are low cost and easy to perform. These are short term tests lasting from 3 to 7 days, If the test results show that your home has radon levels above the 4.0 pCi/L it Is suggested that you have a radon mitigation system installed.