The Washington School District is looking to make school buildings safer and will be testing for radon. Radon is a natural radioactive gas that can cause cancer and Iowa is considered at high risk according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Superintendent William Stone explains radon testing is required by the state in all four-year-old preschools and Headstart rooms, but the school board has decided to test all of the Washington buildings on a rotating schedule.

This week Stewart Elementary School will be tested for radon in the air. The test kits will be in the school for five days and look like small envelopes. The kits are not harmful, and they should not be touched or disturbed during the testing period. According to Stone, “research suggests that school is actually the second largest contributor to radon exposure” behind homes. Parents are also encouraged to test their homes for radon. If the radioactive gas is found in a school building then the district will take steps to remediate it.