By Margaret Henderson
The Iowa Department of Public Health reports that results of the Iowa Radon Survey indicate that the state has the largest percentage (71.6%) of homes above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action level of 4pCi/L as compared to any other state. The EPA designated Iowa as an entirely “Zone 1” state, which means that at least 50% of the homes are above EPA's recommended action level. As Rick Welke, of the department’s radon program notes, “The only way to know is to test.”
The emphasis on testing is getting results. Twenty to thirty thousand results per year are being reported to the state under the requirement that anyone licensed in radon measurement, testing and/or mitigation businesses must submit data. The data being received supports the EPA’s projections with results ranging from the 4pCi/L recommended level to as high as 50pCi/L or more.
The radon industry is a growing one in Iowa with approximately 300 licensees who test for and measure radon and perform mitigations. Also, in 2014, one of the largest homebuilders in the state began routinely installing Radon Resistant New Construction (RRNC) systems and testing for radon and mitigating if test results indicated that is needed.
The growing awareness about radon and health is reflected in administrative rules for licensed day care centers requiring that they must test for radon every two years and from an Iowa legislative request asking the Department of Education about the status of radon in schools. There is currently no requirement for radon testing in Iowa schools; however, a report due by the end of 2014 will present the status of what schools are doing about radon.
“Education about radon is of increasing interest with training courses filling up,” noted Rick. The program will be offering a course for the new AARST/ANSI (American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists/American National Standards Institute) “Protocol for Conducting Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurements In Schools and Large Buildings” standards that are to be released the beginning of 2015. Such a course for schools would discuss those new standards and inform schools about the need to:
• hire radon measurement professionals and verify they have had recent training on new standards; or
• use school personnel who are trained in the protocols; and
• check ACHV systems and make sure they are operating correctly.
In a state with a large potential for radon exposure to residents, industry members, legislators and the Department of Health have complementary approaches to increasing radon awareness and addressing the radon issues. Their combined activities are focused on improving the health outcomes for Iowa residents.
For further information about Iowa’s radon initiatives, visit the website http://www.idph.state.ia.us/radon/. Iowa residents may also call the Radon Hotline 1-800-383-5992 for inexpensive do-it-yourself radon test kits and for answers to radon questions.
Contact for more information:
Rick Welke
(800) 383-5992
(515) 281-4928
Iowa Department of Public Health
321 E 12th Street
Des Moines IA, 50319-0075
United States