Date Published: 02/05/2020 [Source]
Radon, a natural radioactive gas found in some structures, is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers in the United States.
It is responsible for about 21,000 deaths nationwide and about 400 deaths in Iowa every year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
To curb the impact of radon locally, the city of Iowa City will require property owners and managers of single-family detached and duplex rental properties to verify units have been tested for elevated radon levels. The city estimates there are about 3,600 units across town.
The Environmental Protection Agency says if a home has radon levels of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air or higher, which are considered elevated, it should have a mitigation system installed. Iowa's average indoor radon level is 8.5 pCi/L of air while the average nationwide is 1.3 pCi/L of air.
Anywhere between 50% to 70% of homes across Iowa have elevated radon levels, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.
The gas seeps out of the soil and enters structures through cracks in the foundation and openings around pipes and drains. Long-term exposure to radiation from radon can lead to cellular damage which can cause cancer in the lungs.
Starting July 1, city officials will start working with property owners and managers to ensure units are tested, according to the release. A state-licensed, third-party inspector is required to conduct the testing.
It will take about two years to check all the properties.
The release says that if a rental unit has a level of 4 pCi/L or higher, it will be required to have a mitigation system installed. The system will have to be installed by a radon mitigation specialist certified by the state of Iowa.