Des Moines, IA – As Thanksgiving celebrations bring families indoors across Iowa, health officials are warning residents about a silent and deadly threat that could be seeping into their homes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are urging Iowans to test for radon, an invisible radioactive gas that poses a severe health risk — especially during the winter months.
Radon forms naturally as uranium in soil and rock breaks down, releasing gas that seeps through cracks in basements, drains, or foundations. Because it’s odorless, tasteless, and colorless, it can accumulate indoors unnoticed — sometimes reaching deadly concentrations.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon causes more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year, ranking it as the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the country. Iowa consistently ranks among the highest-risk states, with the EPA estimating that over 70% of Iowa homes have radon levels exceeding the danger threshold of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).
Testing is simple, inexpensive, and the only way to detect radon. Short-term test kits, available online, at hardware stores, or through the Iowa Radon Program, typically cost under $25 and deliver results in a few days. If high levels are found, certified mitigation professionals can install venting systems that safely reduce radon concentrations by up to 90%.
“Radon is a silent killer — and it’s everywhere in Iowa,” said CDC officials. “Testing this Thanksgiving could be the most important thing you do to protect your family.”
With families gathering indoors across Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, health experts urge residents to take immediate action — before this invisible killer lingers through the long Iowa winter.
