In an effort to address the presence of radon in public schools across the United States, Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley​ plans to introduce the End Radon in Schools Act to the U.S. House. According to Radio Iowa, this legislation would provide federal grants to test for and reduce hazardous levels of radon gas in high-risk areas.

Braley, a Democrat from Waterloo, has said that children and teachers shouldn’t have to be worried about the presence of this dangerous gas in their schools and that it’s up to adult citizens of the United States to pass public policies to protect them.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this odorless, colorless gas is responsible for up to 20,000 deaths in the United States each year and it’s the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

In fact, reports Radio Iowa, there are a number of school district employees in Iowa – the state with the highest levels of radon in the country – who have undergone or are currently undergoing treatment for this disease.

Thirty-three-year-old Stephanie Langstraad, a principal at ​Prairie City Middle School, is one of them, and told the source about her reaction to being diagnosed with lung cancer.

“How in the world did I get this diagnosis and why? And the first thing that came out of the doctors mouths were possible radon exposure and I thought from the very beginning: ‘What can I do to make a positive impact so that people wouldn’t have to experience what I’m going through now?'”

Exposure to radon can be extremely dangerous. Moving into a new house that hasn’t received a proper home inspection isn’t a good idea, as it can lead to lots of repair costs, and can even seriously compromise your health. If you’re thinking of buying a new house, or if you want to conduct radon testing at your current property, a home inspection contractor can help you determine if you’re safe, and what to do if you aren’t.