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Radon Questions and Answers

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These are short answers to common radon mitigation and testing questions for homes around Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Each one links to its source, and longer explanations are on the linked pages.

Testing

What level means I should fix my home?

EPA says to fix at 4 pCi/L or higher and to consider a fix between 2 and 4 [1].

Should I act on one test?

No. Iowa HHS says mitigation decisions shouldn't rest on a single result [2]. EPA's steps call for a follow-up test after a first result of 4 or more [3].

Where do I get a kit?

Iowa HHS lists free kits through two programs and low-cost kits through 1-800-383-5992 [2]. Johnson and Linn County Public Health sell kits too [4, 5]. See radon test kits.

Does my whole area have radon?

EPA lists every Iowa county in Zone 1 [1]. It still says the map shouldn't be used to decide whether one home needs a test [1].

Hiring

Does a mitigation company need a state credential?

Iowa law says people who aren't credentialed can't do abatement for pay [6]. Iowa HHS publishes the list of credentialed specialists, generated September 24, 2026 [7]. Rules are on how it works.

Who runs my follow-up test?

Under Iowa's rule, the homeowner, the occupant, or a measurement specialist who doesn't work for the mitigation firm [8].

What should the system achieve?

Iowa's rule says it must bring radon below 4 pCi/L in the area or level where it's installed [8].

Cost

What does a system cost?

National 2026 guides give $805 to $1,326 (Angi) and $1,200 to $2,000 (HomeGuide) [9, 10]. See radon mitigation cost.

Will insurance pay?

HomeGuide says homeowners insurance doesn't cover mitigation or testing [10].

Living with a system

Can I turn the fan off in summer?

No. EPA says the fan should never be turned off [11].

How often should I retest?

EPA says at least every two years [11].

Sales, new homes and rentals

Do I have to fix radon to sell?

Iowa HHS says no state rule requires it, but sellers must disclose known tests [12]. See radon and home sales.

My new home has a radon pipe. Am I done?

EPA says to test right after moving in [13]. Iowa has required a passive method in new one- and two-family homes since July 1, 2026 [12].

I rent out a house in Iowa City. Does the city require a test?

Yes. Iowa City Code 17-5-18(T) says single-family and duplex rentals must be tested by a radon measurement specialist certified by the State of Iowa. It applies to new permits filed, and renewals expiring, on or after July 1, 2021 [14]. See the Iowa City page.

Still have a question?

Send it with your request.

We're a referral service, not a contractor. We send mitigation requests only to contractors on Iowa HHS's current credentialed list and testing requests only to state-certified radon measurement specialists, but we don't otherwise vet them, a referral is not an endorsement, and independent contractors may pay us for referrals.

Sources

  1. U.S. EPA, EPA Map of Radon Zones, last updated Aug 17, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/radon/epa-map-radon-zones
  2. Iowa HHS, Radon program page (fetched Nov 11, 2026). https://hhs.iowa.gov/health-prevention/providers-professionals/radiological-health/radon
  3. U.S. EPA, A Citizen's Guide to Radon, EPA 402/K-12/002 (2025 edition, PDF). https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-12/documents/2016_a_citizens_guide_to_radon.pdf
  4. Johnson County Public Health, Radon Information (fetched Nov 11, 2026). https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/public-health/radon
  5. Linn County Public Health, Radon (fetched Nov 11, 2026). https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/1747/Radon
  6. Iowa Code chapter 136B, Radon Control (2026). https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/136B.pdf
  7. Iowa HHS, Iowa Credentialed Radon Mitigation Specialists list (PDF, report generated 9/24/2026). https://hhs.iowa.gov/media/7883/download?inline
  8. Iowa Administrative Code 641, Chapter 44, Radon Mitigation (ARC 0290D, IAB 5/13/26, effective 7/1/26). https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/641.44.pdf
  9. Angi, "How Much Does a Radon Mitigation System Cost? [2026 Data]," Mitchell Grant, updated Sep 28, 2026. https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-remove-radon-gas.htm
  10. HomeGuide, "How Much Does a Radon Mitigation System Cost? (2026)," Kristen Cramer, Feb 5, 2026. https://homeguide.com/costs/radon-mitigation-cost
  11. U.S. EPA, Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction, EPA 402/K-10/005 (2025 edition, PDF). https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-12/documents/2016_consumers_guide_to_radon_reduction.pdf
  12. Iowa HHS, Radon Resources (fetched Nov 11, 2026). https://hhs.iowa.gov/health-prevention/providers-professionals/radiological-health/radon/radon-resources
  13. U.S. EPA, How to Address Radon When Building a New Home, last updated Aug 17, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/radon/how-address-radon-when-building-new-home
  14. City of Iowa City Code of Ordinances, Title 17 Chapter 5 Housing Code, sections 17-5-18(T) Radon Testing and 17-5-19(N) Supplied Facilities (fetched Nov 11, 2026). https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/iowacityia/latest/iowacity_ia/0-0-0-15483