January is known as Radon Action Month, and an expert in Dallas County explains potential dangers associated with it.

Dallas County Health Department Community Health Educator Natalie Peters shares that radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas that forms naturally from the earth. She reveals that Iowa is amongst the top states for radon levels, mostly due to the formation of glaciers thousands of years ago. Peters clarifies that radon levels are the highest underground, but can move upwards inside buildings. She covers health hazards that people can be susceptible to.

“Radon is the second leading risk factor for lung cancer, right behind smoking tobacco. Exposure to radon does not have any immediately notable symptoms because lung cancer takes years to develop, so that’s why it’s important to test your home for radon.”

Peters says that radon test kits feature directions on conducting the test and how to act if high levels are detected. She notes that test kits can be found online or in most home improvement stores. She adds that the Dallas County Health Department, 25747 N. Avenue, in Adel offers them for about $10.