Radon Mitigation in Des Moines, Iowa

Updated October 2026 · 6 public sources cited

Iowa holds radon installers to specific credentialing rules and national standards. Here's what that means for a Des Moines homeowner hiring someone to fix a high result.

Who can legally install a system in Iowa

Iowa Code § 136B.1 says a person who isn't credentialed may not perform radon abatement. The exceptions are people working on a building they own and people working for free.¹ The state rule is specific: no one may do radon mitigation in Iowa for a fee unless credentialed by Iowa HHS, and that includes companies based in other states that serve Iowa residents.²

To earn a mitigation credential, an individual must have completed approved training in both radon measurement and mitigation and passed a national mitigation exam from NRPP or NRSB within two years before applying, among other requirements.²

The standards Iowa enforces

Iowa requires radon mitigation systems to follow EPA's Radon Mitigation Standards (EPA 402-R-93-078) and ASTM E2121, the standard practice for installing radon systems in existing low-rise homes. Iowa HHS treats every "should" in those documents as a "shall."³ In plain terms, the national best practices are mandatory in Iowa.

Iowa Code also classifies radon abatement systems as mechanical ventilation systems.¹

Confirm before you fix

Iowa HHS uses the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L. Results at or above it are considered elevated and mitigation is recommended, but Iowa HHS says the decision shouldn't be based on a single test result.³ Our Des Moines testing guide covers the follow-up test.

What a good result looks like

Iowa HHS says the goal of a mitigation system is to reduce radon to the lowest possible level.³ Most systems use a fan to pull soil gas from under the foundation and vent it above the roof, with cracks and openings sealed. Common designs are sub-slab suction for basements and slabs, drain tile suction where a drain tile and sump exist, and a sealed plastic membrane for crawl spaces.⁴

Before you sign

EPA's consumer guide suggests asking every contractor:⁵

• Can you share references and before-and-after test results from past jobs?
• Will you inspect the house before giving an estimate?
• Do you charge for diagnostic tests? Many contractors give free estimates but may charge for diagnostics.
• Will the system include a warning device that tells me if it stops working?
• Will you test after installation, and do you guarantee a level of 4 pCi/L or below? For how long?

Serving the Des Moines metro

We connect homeowners in Des Moines and surrounding Polk, Dallas and Warren County communities with Iowa-credentialed mitigation specialists. If you live in West Des Moines, see the city's radon grant on our Des Moines cost guide.

General information summarized from the public sources listed below. It isn't professional, medical or legal advice. A licensed professional who inspects your home can tell you what it needs.