Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa House has unanimously passed a bill that would require radon mitigation systems in newly constructed homes in Iowa.
Representative Hans Wilz of Ottumwa says radon is a leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the move could help reduce Iowa’s rising cancer rate.
Wilz says it’s far less expensive to install what are called passive radon control systems in a home as it’s built rather than putting one in an existing home.
According to Wilz, good home builders are already meeting this requirement.
Representative Austin Baeth of Des Moines is a doctor of internal medicine.
In 2022, lawmakers passed a requirement that schools do frequent and thorough testing of radon gas levels in all Iowa school buildings and develop radon reduction plans.
