(Radio Iowa) – A House committee has unanimously voted to create a state income tax credit for Iowans who install a radon mitigation system in their homes. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. It’s the second leading cause of cancer in smokers and, according to the E-P-A, the entire state of Iowa is at highest risk for elevated levels of radon. Representative Austin Baeth of Des Moines says a radon mitigation system can cost up to two-thousand dollars — and this state tax break of up to a thousand dollars may prompt more Iowans take action.

“This is a bill that’s going to save lives,” Baeth says. “…It’s estimated that 70% of our homes have an elevated radon level, yet only 1 in 15 homes have been checked in the last decade.” Baeth says the tax break could make Iowa’s housing stock safer.  “And it comes at one of the most important times in state history here when we’re in the middle of a cancer crisis, and we know that radon is responsible for about 400 Iowa deaths per year from lung cancer.” Iowans can order a low-cost radon testing kit by calling the Iowa Radon Hotline.

Find the hotline number here, along with more information about radon and the state’s Cancer Control Plan.