Update: this bill was sidelined by the legislative funnel and will not be moving forward this legislative session.

Bill would allow cities to require radon testing in single family rental homes

A bill - SF43 - has been introduced in the Iowa Senate that would allow cities to pass ordinances that would require landlords to test radon levels in single-family residences that they are renting.  The test results would be provided to the city.  The bill also sets a testing schedule:

• The bill sets up a retesting of radon levels every eight years if the radon levels are below four picocuries per liter and there is no bedroom in the basement.  If there is a bedroom in the basement, then the radon levels are to be tested every four years.
• If the test is over 4 picocuries per liter, then a radon mitigation system must be installed.  A radon test must be performed within 90 days of the installation unless given an extension by the city.  Future testing will be done every eight years.
• If a rental house already has a radon mitigation system, testing for radon will be done every 8 years.

Radon is the leading cause of environmental lung cancer in Iowa.

Radon gas is released when uranium breaks down.  Uranium is a natural chemical found in Iowa’s soils and rocks.  Outdoor levels of radon are low.  However, radon levels can build up inside a building.  Radon is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas.  The only way you know if you have high levels of radon is to test for it.

71.6% of Iowa homes are above the Environmental Protection Agency recommended action level.  Iowa has the largest percentage of homes in the United States that above the EPA threshold for taking action to remediate radon levels.   For more information, see "Radon Resources".

Given the high levels of radon found within the state, it is sensible to require single-family rental homes to be tested for radon and to have radon mitigation systems installed in those homes with high levels of radon. 

What you can do

1. A subcommittee is reviewing the bill.  Ask the subcommittee members to support SF43, requiring regular radon testing in single-family rental homes - dawn.driscoll@legis.iowa.gov ,  scott.webster@legis.iowa.gov ,  janice.weiner@legis.iowa.gov
2. Ask your state senator to support SF43, requiring regular radon testing in single-family rental homes.

• To look up your senate member, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/senate