Radon Testing in Des Moines
Iowa HHS says all of Iowa is high-risk for radon, and that testing is the only way to know your level. Polk County residents can usually get the kit free.
Polk County
Free test kits
Iowa HHS partners with the American Lung Association on limited free kits, one per household while supplies last. Polk County residents order through the American Lung Association's form.1
Where Des Moines-area residents get kits
| County | Free kit program (per Iowa HHS) |
|---|---|
| Polk | American Lung Association order form |
| Dallas, Warren, Story, Boone | Start with the American Lung Association form. Depending on your address, you may be asked to reorder through Healthy Hometowns: Combat Cancer. |
| Other Iowa counties | Healthy Hometowns: Combat Cancer order form |
Source: Iowa HHS.1 Low-cost kits are also sold at most hardware and home improvement stores, and through Iowa's radon hotline run by the American Lung Association.1
Who can test your home for pay
Iowa rules say no one may test for radon in Iowa unless certified by the state, and that includes out-of-state businesses offering tests to Iowa residents by mail or other means. Testing your own home is exempt.2 Iowa HHS publishes a list and a map of certified measurement specialists, plus a list of certified labs for test kits.1 Certified specialists must follow EPA guidance and the ANSI/AARST measurement protocols.1
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Iowa HHS says results at or above 4 pCi/L are elevated and mitigation is recommended, but that mitigation decisions should not be based on a single test result.1 EPA's steps:3
- Short-term test first.If it's 4 pCi/L or higher, follow up.
- Follow up.Use a long-term test for a better year-round picture, or a second short-term test if you need results quickly. If the first result is more than twice the action level, EPA says to do a second short-term test right away.
- Decide.Fix the home if the long-term result is 4 or more, or consider fixing if the average of the two short-term tests is 4 or higher.
EPA says to place the kit in the lowest lived-in level, at least 20 inches above the floor, away from drafts, high heat, high humidity and exterior walls, and not in a kitchen or bathroom.3
The Iowa study behind the warnings
The Iowa Radon Lung Cancer Study followed Iowa women who had lived in their homes for at least 20 years. After adjusting for age, smoking and education, it estimated about 50% higher odds of lung cancer for each increment of exposure equal to living at an average of about 4 pCi/L over a 15-year window (5 to 19 years before diagnosis). The confidence interval was wide.4 Iowa HHS describes radon as the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second leading cause in smokers, citing the EPA.1
Testing for a home sale
Iowa doesn't require a test when a home sells. But sellers must disclose any known radon tests, with the date and results, and give the buyer the Iowa Radon Home-Buyers and Sellers Fact Sheet.5 For a sale, Iowa HHS points to EPA's Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide, and lists certified measurement specialists if you want a professional test.1
Common questions
How do I get a free radon test kit in Polk County?
Iowa HHS says Polk County residents order through the American Lung Association's form. Kits are limited to one per household while supplies last.
Do radon testers need to be certified in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa rules say no one may test for radon in Iowa without state certification, including out-of-state businesses. Testing your own home is exempt.
Should I install a system after one high test?
Iowa HHS says not to base the decision on a single test. Follow up with a long-term test or a second short-term test first.
What did the Iowa Radon Lung Cancer Study find?
Among Iowa women who had lived in their homes 20+ years, it estimated about 50% higher lung cancer odds for each increment of exposure equal to averaging about 4 pCi/L over a 15-year window, after adjusting for age, smoking and education. The confidence interval was wide.
Is radon testing required to sell a house in Iowa?
No. Sellers must disclose known radon test results and give buyers the Iowa radon fact sheet, but testing isn't required.
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.
Sources
- Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS), "Radon"
- Iowa Administrative Code 641—Chapter 43 (radon testing certification)
- U.S. EPA, "A Citizen's Guide to Radon" (2016, PDF)
- Field RW et al., "Residential Radon Gas Exposure and Lung Cancer: The Iowa Radon Lung Cancer Study," American Journal of Epidemiology, 2000
- Iowa HHS, "Radon Resources" (Real Estate section)