Linn County Radon Facts (2026)
Yes, Linn County is a high-radon area. All of Iowa is EPA Radon Zone 1, and Iowa’s statewide survey found 71.6% of homes above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L, the highest share of any state. Your own home can still test high or low, so a test is the only way to know. Below are the key numbers, local test-kit options and 2026 rule changes, each linked to its source.
Linn County radon at a glance
| Fact | Source |
|---|---|
| All of Iowa, including Linn County, is EPA Radon Zone 1: the highest-potential zone, where average indoor levels may be greater than 4 pCi/L. | EPA Map of Radon Zones; Iowa HHS |
| 71.6% of Iowa homes measured above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L in the Iowa Radon Survey, the largest percentage of any state. | Iowa HHS Radon Resources |
| Average Iowa home: 8.5 pCi/L; U.S. average: 1.3 pCi/L. | Iowa Cancer Consortium |
| Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall, the number one cause among non-smokers, and responsible for about 21,000 U.S. lung cancer deaths each year. | EPA: Health Risk of Radon |
| About 400 radon-related lung cancer deaths per year in Iowa. | Iowa Cancer Consortium |
| Linn County Public Health sells short-term and long-term test kits at 1020 6th St. SE, Cedar Rapids (319-892-6000). | Linn County Public Health |
Zone 1 describes geology and averages, not your house. Neighboring homes can test very differently, which is why every public source above says to test.
When Linn County Public Health says to test
Linn County Public Health recommends testing when:
- the home has never been tested or its radon level is unknown;
- you are preparing to buy or sell;
- before and after renovations, especially after repairs to reduce radon;
- before lifestyle changes that mean more time in the basement or lower level, such as turning a basement into a bedroom.
For help choosing between a kit and a professional test, see our Cedar Rapids radon testing guide.
What your radon result means
Linn County Public Health publishes an action chart for test results. In plain terms (read the full county chart for the exact wording):
| Result (pCi/L) | County guidance, summarized |
|---|---|
| Less than 0.5 | About the same as outdoor air. Test again after structural changes or more lower-level use. |
| 0.5–1.9 | Little short-term risk. Levels vary daily and seasonally, so consider retesting in another season. |
| 2.0–3.9 | A short-term test is a snapshot, so test again. If the follow-up stays in this range, whether to mitigate is a personal decision that balances cost and risk. |
| 4.0–7.9 | Do a short-term or long-term follow-up test. If that confirms the level, remedial action is recommended. |
| 8.0 and higher | Do a short-term follow-up under closed-house conditions within the next few weeks (a long-term test is not recommended at these levels). If confirmed, remedial action is recommended. |
If mitigation is recommended, our radon mitigation overview explains how active soil depressurization systems work, and our guide to paying for radon mitigation in Cedar Rapids lists local financing options.
Where to get a radon test kit in Linn County
- Linn County Public Health: short-term and long-term kits for purchase. Call 319-892-6000 or stop by 1020 6th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 (source).
- Free kit program: the American Lung Association is partnering with Iowa HHS to offer a limited number of free radon test kits: one per household while supplies last. Linn County is on the program’s county list. Depending on your address, you may be asked to re-order through the “Healthy Hometowns: Combat Cancer” form instead (American Lung Association in Iowa).
- Questions? The Iowa Radon HelpLine is 1-800-383-5992 (weekdays 7 am–6 pm, weekends 9 am–5 pm, per the American Lung Association).
Sump pits: a common Linn County entry point
Linn County Public Health notes that radon can enter a home through the footing drain connected to a basement sump pump, and that a sealed sump lid is key to preventing it. Sealed lids are inexpensive and sold by building-supply companies. If you do not have a sump pit, this does not affect you directly. For other entry paths, see our crawlspace and foundation radon page.
What changed in 2026 (and what is coming in 2027)
New homes: radon-resistant construction statewide
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Iowa state building code requires new single-family and two-family construction to include a passive radon mitigation method listed in Appendix AF of the 2021 International Residential Code. It applies to construction that begins after the requirement took effect. Before that date, Iowa HHS counted 11 jurisdictions that already required radon-resistant new construction, including Linn County (Iowa HHS Radon Resources). The rule covers new construction only, so existing Cedar Rapids homes still need to be tested.
Public schools: testing deadline
Under the Gail Orcutt School Safety Act (signed May 2022), all Iowa public schools must complete radon testing by 2027 and repeat it at least once every five years, and new school construction must include radon-resistant techniques (American Lung Association in Iowa).
Child care centers
Iowa HHS says licensed child care centers must test for radon within one year of opening and must mitigate if levels are above 4.0 pCi/L (Iowa HHS Radon Resources).
Buying or selling a home in Linn County
According to Iowa HHS, there are currently no state rules requiring radon testing or mitigation during a real estate transaction. Sellers must disclose any known radon tests, including the date and results of the last report, and must give buyers the Iowa Radon Home-Buyers and Sellers Fact Sheet. Buyers acknowledge receiving it on the disclosure statement. Timing a test inside an inspection window is covered on our radon inspection page for buyers and sellers.
How to check a radon professional’s credentials
Iowa HHS publishes current lists of Iowa Credentialed Radon Mitigation Specialists and Iowa Certified Radon Measurement Specialists (PDFs on the Iowa HHS radon page). Whoever you hire, including anyone we refer you to, you can check their name against these lists yourself.
Have a result or a question?
Tell us your ZIP and what you found. We respond during business hours and can connect you with an independent, Iowa-credentialed radon professional.
Frequently asked questions
Is Linn County, Iowa a high radon area?
Yes. All of Iowa, including Linn County, is EPA Radon Zone 1, the highest-potential zone, where average indoor radon levels may be greater than 4 pCi/L (EPA Map of Radon Zones). Zone status does not predict any single house, so testing is the only way to know your home’s level.
What percentage of Iowa homes have high radon?
The Iowa Radon Survey found 71.6% of Iowa homes above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L, the largest percentage of any state, according to Iowa HHS. The Iowa Cancer Consortium reports an average Iowa home level of 8.5 pCi/L, compared with 1.3 pCi/L nationally (Iowa Cancer Consortium).
Where can I get a radon test kit in Linn County?
Linn County Public Health sells short-term and long-term kits at 1020 6th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, or by phone at 319-892-6000 (Linn County Public Health). The American Lung Association and Iowa HHS also run a limited free test kit program that lists Linn County, one kit per household while supplies last (American Lung Association in Iowa).
Do new homes in Iowa have to be built radon-resistant?
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Iowa state building code requires new single-family and two-family construction to include a passive radon mitigation method from Appendix AF of the 2021 International Residential Code. Iowa HHS notes Linn County was already among the jurisdictions requiring radon-resistant new construction before that date (Iowa HHS Radon Resources). Existing homes are not covered by that rule, so they still need testing.
Does Iowa require a radon test when selling a house?
No. Iowa HHS says there are currently no state rules requiring radon testing or mitigation during a real estate transaction. Sellers must disclose any known radon tests (date and results) and give buyers the Iowa Radon Home-Buyers and Sellers Fact Sheet, and buyers acknowledge receiving it (Iowa HHS Radon Resources).
Sources
Each fact above was checked against these pages on September 29, 2026. Program details change, so rely on the source pages for current terms.
- U.S. EPA: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- U.S. EPA: Health Risk of Radon
- Iowa HHS: Radon Resources (survey, real estate, building code, child care)
- Iowa HHS: Radon (credentialed and certified specialist lists)
- Linn County Public Health: Radon and Healthy Homes
- American Lung Association: Radon in Iowa (free kits, HelpLine, school law)
- Iowa Cancer Consortium: Radon in Iowa (average levels, Iowa deaths)
Related pages
Call (319) 403-2604 or use the form above and we can connect you with an independent, Iowa-credentialed radon professional.