Union High School in La Porte City where the district's offices are located. TELEGRAPH FILE PHOTO

LA PORTE CITY – Recent testing recently completed at Union Community School District’s four educational facilities found no unsafe levels of radon.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas in the ground that can enter buildings through foundation cracks, gaps, joints, and water supplies. The gas is invisible, odorless, and tasteless, and it can pose serious health hazards when it accumulates inside buildings.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises action when radon levels reach 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). Testing conducted by the Energy Association of Iowa Schools (EAIS) found levels below the EPA threshold at all Union schools.

The state of Iowa requires radon testing at least once every five years at public school attendance centers, licensed preschools, and licensed childcare centers.

“Our recent radon testing results are reassuring and confirm that our schools remain safe learning and working environments for students and staff,” said Superintendent John Howard. “Comprehensive testing is the only way to identify concerns, and we are pleased that all results were well below the levels where action is recommended. We will continue to prioritize testing and monitoring to ensure radon safety in the future.”

Questions about radon testing and results at Union can be directed to Superintendent John Howard at 319-342-2674 or j_howard@union.k12.ia.us.