A radon test kit is the cheapest way to learn your level, and in Iowa you may be able to get one free. EPA says testing is easy and inexpensive [1]. Iowa HHS says that because high levels show up in any type of home, everyone should test [2].
Free kits
Iowa HHS lists two free kit programs: the American Lung Association's program and Healthy Hometowns: Combat Cancer, with one kit per household while supplies last [2]. Which form you use depends on your county [2]:
- Johnson and Linn counties: order through the American Lung Association. Depending on your address, you may be asked to re-order through Healthy Hometowns.
- Benton, Cedar and Washington counties: these fall under "all other counties," which order through Healthy Hometowns.
Johnson County Public Health says Healthy Hometowns kits there go to homeowners in eligible rural areas, checked on a federal rural health map. Staff can check your address when you visit [3].
County health department kits
- Johnson County Public Health sells short-term kits for $12 in the office or $15 mailed, and long-term kits for $30 in person or $33 mailed. Call 319-356-6040 [4].
- Linn County Public Health sells short-term and long-term kits at 1020 6th St. SE in Cedar Rapids or by phone at 319-892-6000 [5].
- Washington County Public Health gives free kits to rural homeowners in the county. The homeowner picks the kit up in person at 2175 Lexington Blvd., Building 2, in Washington; call 319-653-7782 [6].
- Benton County Public Health says it doesn't have radon tests for sale at its offices and points people to stores and to iowaradon.org [7].
You can also buy a kit through the state hotline, 1-800-383-5992, or at most hardware and home improvement stores [2]. HomeGuide lists store kits at $10 to $30 [8].
Using the kit
- Read the instructions that came with the kit.
- Place it in the lowest lived-in level, in a room you use often but not the kitchen or bathroom, at least 20 inches off the floor [9].
- For a short-term test, keep windows and outside doors closed as much as you can [9].
- Mail it to the lab on the schedule the kit gives. EPA says results usually arrive within a few weeks [9].
Johnson County lists short-term kits at 3 to 7 days and long-term kits at 3 to 12 months [4].
After the result
If a short-term result is 4 pCi/L or higher, EPA says to follow up with a long-term test or a second short-term test before deciding [9]. Iowa HHS's Radon & You brochure suggests testing every 2 years or after you renovate [10]. If the follow-up is still high, read radon mitigation. For a test during a home sale, see radon and home sales, because paid testers there must be state certified.
FAQ
Who can get a free kit?
It depends on your county. Iowa HHS sends Johnson and Linn county households to the American Lung Association form and Benton, Cedar and Washington counties to Healthy Hometowns, one kit per household while supplies last [2]. Johnson County's Healthy Hometowns kits go to homeowners in eligible rural areas [3], and Washington County hands out free kits to rural homeowners at its office [6].
Can I use a kit to check my system?
Yes. Johnson County lists a check after a system goes in as one use for its short-term kits [4].
Get a quote
Got a high result? Send it over.
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
- U.S. EPA, EPA Map of Radon Zones, last updated Aug 17, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/radon/epa-map-radon-zones
- Iowa HHS, Radon program page (fetched Nov 11, 2026). https://hhs.iowa.gov/health-prevention/providers-professionals/radiological-health/radon
- Johnson County Public Health, Healthy Hometowns (fetched Nov 11, 2026). https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/community/healthy-hometowns
- Johnson County Public Health, Radon Information (fetched Nov 11, 2026). https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/public-health/radon
- Linn County Public Health, Radon (fetched Nov 11, 2026). https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/1747/Radon
- Washington County Public Health, "Free Radon Test Kits for Rural Homeowners," news post, Oct 14, 2026. https://washph.com/About-Us/News/%EF%B8%8F-free-radon-test-kits-for-rural-homeowners%EF%B8%8F-2
- Benton County Public Health, Radon (page updated 3/26/2026). https://www.bentoncountyia.gov/public_health/radon_testing/
- HomeGuide, "How Much Does a Radon Mitigation System Cost? (2026)," Kristen Cramer, Feb 5, 2026. https://homeguide.com/costs/radon-mitigation-cost
- 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
- Iowa HHS, Radon & You: What you need to know to protect you and your family (brochure PDF, fetched Nov 11, 2026). https://hhs.iowa.gov/media/7880/download?inline