The Capitol Report by Sen. Rich Taylor

This is a legislative update from Senator Rich Taylor, representing Henry and Lee counties and portions of Washington and Jefferson counties.

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that can cause cancer.

Even though you can?t see, smell or taste it, it is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Radon is an especially big problem in Iowa. Our state leads the nation in the amount of radon in our soil. The average indoor radon concentration in Iowa is more than six times the national average. Radon-induced cancer causes an estimated 400 deaths per year in Iowa. That?s about the same number of deaths caused by Iowa traffic fatalities.

I supported a bill that passed the Senate requiring school districts to test for the presence of this silent killer and report radon levels to the Iowa Department of Public Health (SF 2262).

The results will be posted on the Department of Public Health website so that parents and teachers are aware of the radon levels in their local school buildings.

Currently, there is no requirement for public or private K-12 schools to test or mitigate radon levels if they are too high. However, childcare centers in Iowa must test for radon within one year of licensing or renewal and every two years following the initial test.

A recent public opinion poll shows that 71 percent of Iowans favor requiring schools to test for radon and to take steps to reduce levels if necessary. It?s time we know what the radon levels are in our local schools.

Cost for radon testing in a typical school building ranges from $500 to $1,500. It is a price worth paying for the health and safety of our kids.

To contact Sen. Taylor during session, call the Senate Switchboard at 515-281-3371 or anytime at home at 319-931-1568. Email him at rich.taylor@legis.iowa.gov.

For newsletters, photos and further information, go to www.senate.iowa.gov/senator/taylor.

Sen. Taylor is vice-chair of the Agriculture Committee. He also serves on the Economic Growth, Judiciary, Local Government and Transportation committees, as well as the Justice Systems Budget Subcommittee.