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Pottawattamie County proclaims January 2026 Radon Action Month; health officials urge wider access to test kits
Summary
County public‑health staff briefed supervisors on elevated radon risk in Iowa and the availability of low‑cost test kits; the board proclaimed January 2026 Radon Action Month and staff agreed to explore options to increase access for low‑income residents.
The Pottawattamie County Board on [date of meeting] read and approved a proclamation designating January 2026 as Radon Action Month, after a presentation from the county epidemiologist and comments from a member of the Iowa Cancer Consortium.
Andy Steenbach, an epidemiologist with the county public‑health department, summarized radon risk in Iowa and urged testing. "Iowa has some of the highest levels of radon in the entire country," Steenbach said, noting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's action level of about 4 pCi/L and that many Iowa homes test above that level. He described low‑cost test kits the county makes available for $11 and said the health department can provide guidance and a list of licensed mitigators.
Lisa (identified as a member of the Iowa Cancer Consortium) said radon testing and mitigation are important public‑health tools and urged the board and health department to consider making kits free for households that meet poverty guidelines.
After discussion, the board read the Radon Action Month proclamation and approved it by voice vote. Public‑health staff said they would investigate whether a county subsidy, a small grant program or bulk purchasing could lower costs for low‑income residents.
What happens next: public‑health staff will return with a proposal if they find a feasible subsidized kit program and will continue outreach during Radon Action Month.
