What is Radon?
Radon is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas that causes lung cancer. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after smoking. Radon-related lung cancers result in an estimated 21,000 deaths annually in the United States.
Find more information and resources about radon health risks, testing and mitigation.
What Is the Risk from Radon in Iowa?
All of Iowa is in Zone 1 (red), indicating Iowans have a very high potential for elevated levels of radon gas. You can see the estimated radon risk for each county on this map.
Iowa FREE Radon Test Kit Program
The Lung Association is partnering with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to offer limited free radon test kits to residents living in the state of Iowa (ONE free radon test kit per household while supplies last).
Over this past year, the Lung Association distributed 3,500 FREE radon test kits to residents in Iowa. However, 3 out of 5 households did not use their test kit. This means that more than 2,000 homes missed an opportunity to identify high levels of radon. With 5 in 7 homes in the state of Iowa historically reporting high levels of radon, it is critical that radon test kits are used so that homes with high levels of radon can be identified and fixed.
To enhance the impact of this program in preventing radon-induced lung cancer in the state of Iowa and ensure this program is operating as a good use of tax-payer dollars, residents must take the following steps to redeem their FREE radon test kit:
Step one: Learn about the risks of living in a home with high levels of radon by watching the Lung Association’s two-minute Radon and Lung Health video.
Step two: Complete the Iowa Free Radon Test Kit Order Request Form including:
- Confirming you have watched the video by answering three questions about radon and lung health.
- Pledging to use your radon test kit (and mail to the lab for analysis) within 60-days of receiving your test kit.
Once you’ve completed step one, complete the order request form using this link: Iowa Free Radon Test Kit Order Form
*If you would like to order more than one test kit, please purchase affordable radon test kits below:
Iowa Radon HelpLine
Need more information on radon in Iowa? Call the Iowa Radon HelpLine at 1-800-383-5992. Operating hours are weekdays from 7 am through 6 pm and weekends from 9 am through 5 pm. If you are calling after standard operating hours, the automated messaging service will record your message and a staff member will return your call.
For a list of radon measurement and mitigation specialists please visit the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services website.
Iowa Radon Videos
- What is radon?
- How does radon enter the home?
- Why is radon a problem?
- How do I test for radon?
- What do my radon test results mean?
- What is radon mitigation?
- Is your radon mitigation system installed and working correctly?
Radon Measurement Guidance for Schools
In May 2022, the Gail Orcutt School Safety Act was signed into law. Under this law, radon testing needs to be completed by all Iowa public schools by 2027 and repeated at least once every 5 years. The law also requires all new school construction to incorporate radon-resistant construction techniques.
Find information about the Gail Orcutt School Safety Act and trainings for Iowa school district employees by visiting the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services radon website for K-12 schools.
Learn more about the importance of radon testing in schools.
More Resources for Professionals
Iowa Radon Poster & Video Contests
The Iowa Radon Poster and Video Contests take place each year to raise awareness about the dangers of radon gas.
Page last updated: December 8, 2025
