Proactive Radon Testing
Did you know that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages Iowans to test our homes for radon in order to prevent lung cancer?Because the safety of students, staff, and community is a priority for Waukee Community School District, we are testing our schools for radon.
What is radon?
You can’t see, smell or taste it, but radon could be present at dangerous levels if it becomes trapped inside buildings. Radon gas moves upward through cracks and other openings in the foundations of buildings from the soil under a building. In the United States, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers.
Required Testing
Radon testing is required at least once every five years for all Iowa public school attendance centers, licensed preschools, and licensed child care centers. The testing meets the requirements of the Gail Orcutt School Radon Safety Act (Iowa House File 2412). Waukee CSD has proactively placed all of our school buildings on a rotating radon test schedule.
2023-24 Waukee CSD Radon Testing Results
| Does the public school district have a radon plan and schedule for short-term tests for radon gas to be performed at each attendance center under its control at least once by July 1, 2027, and at least once every five years thereafter? | Yes |
| Does the public school publish (radon) testing results on the district’s internet site in a timely manner? | Yes |
| Have district employees who conducted testing completed a school radon testing training program approved by the department of education and the department of public health? Name of program: School Radon Training & Support System through EnergyAssociation of Iowa Schools | Yes |
| Were second short-term tests for radon conducted in spaces with results at or above four picocuries per liter within sixty days of the first test? | Yes |
| Was a radon mitigation plan developed within two years of the first test if averaged results of first and second tests were at or above four picocuries per liter? | Yes |
| Was the corrective measure(s) and/or active mitigation identified in the developed radon mitigation plan to bring results below 4pCi/l completed within two years. | Yes |
| All new school construction in our public school district will incorporate radon resistant construction techniques. | Yes |
Test Your Home
Research suggests the home is likely to be the most significant source of radon exposure (more than schools and workplaces). Please test your home for radon. If necessary, take action to reduce the risk of lung cancer by reducing elevated radon concentrations.
You can find more information regarding residential radon testing at www.epa.gov/radon.
