Is Radon Dangerous in Iowa? What Des Moines Homeowners Need to Know

The short answer: yes.

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that seeps up from the soil and accumulates inside homes. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths every year — more than drunk driving or house fires.

Why Iowa is the worst state in the nation

Iowa's glacial soils and uranium-rich bedrock continuously produce radon gas. The Iowa Department of Public Health reports that more than 70% of Iowa homes test above the EPA's action level of 4.0 pCi/L. Most other states sit closer to 6–10%.

What level is unsafe?

The EPA recommends mitigating any home at or above 4.0 pCi/L. The World Health Organization sets an even stricter target of 2.7 pCi/L. There is no truly "safe" level — risk increases with both concentration and exposure time.

What you should do

1. Test your home — every Iowa home should be tested.
2. If results are at or above 4.0 pCi/L, install a mitigation system.
3. Re-test every two years and after major foundation work.