Radon Resources

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Overview

The Iowa Radon Survey has indicated that Iowa has the largest percentage (or 71.6%) of homes above the US Environmental Protection Agency action level of 4pCi/L. It is also designated by the US EPA as an entirely zone 1 state, which means that at least 50% of the homes are above US EPA's recommended action level.

Other informational resources:

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Childcare Providers

Per Iowa Administrative Code 441-109(237A), which is administered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) Child Care Regulatory Program, all licensed childcare centers must test for radon within 1 year of opening. Centers must mitigate if radon levels are above 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). 

Learn more: Radon Testing Guidance for Iowa Licensed Childcare Centers

For more information, please review the Child Care Centers and Preschools Licensing Standards and Procedures, Section 109.11(8) b, or visit the Child Care Licensing page.

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Health Care Providers

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Real Estate

There are currently no rules at the state level requiring testing or mitigation during a real estate transaction. However, per Iowa Code chapters 543B.9 and 543B.18 and Iowa Administrative Code 193E Chapter 14 administered by the Iowa Real Estate Commission, a seller must disclose any known tests for the presence of radon and if yes, provide the date of last report and the result(s).  The seller must also acknowledge that they have provided the buyer with a copy of "Iowa Radon Home-Buyers and Sellers Fact Sheet" prepared by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. A copy of the fact sheet  can be downloaded from the links below. The buyer must also acknowledge the receipt of the fact sheet on the disclosure statement.

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Radon Resistant New Construction (RRNC)

Single- or Two-Family Residential Construction

Beginning July 1, 2026, Iowa state building code will require new single or two-family residential construction to include a passive method for the mitigation of radon listed in Appendix AF of the International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 edition, published by the International Code Council. The requirement only applies to single-family or two-family residential construction commenced after the adoption of the requirement. Provisions of the state building code relating to radon mitigation requirements will be applicable to all new single-family and two-family residential construction in this state. 

Prior to July 1, 2026, there were 11 known jurisdictions that required RRNC in new single-family residence construction per the 2017 IRC, Appendix F. These jurisdictions included the counties of Bremer, Johnson, Linn and Polk and the cities of Altoona, Bondurant, Carroll, Iowa City, North Liberty, Norwalk and Pella.

Resources:

School and Other Building Construction

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Resources

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