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House passes radon-mitigation requirement for new homes, sponsors cite public-health data
Summary
House File 2297 creates a pathway to mitigate radon in new single- and two-family homes, pairs mitigation with rural health grants and test-kit distribution, and was supported on grounds it will reduce cancer risk; sponsors quoted state and EPA radon statistics during debate.
A representative (Wapolow) opened remarks on House File 2297, arguing that the bill addresses a public-health gap by defining proof-of-mitigation steps for new home construction and integrating those measures into a rural-transformation program.
The sponsor said, "Radon is estimated to cause nearly 400 deaths annually in the state of Iowa and all 99 counties in Iowa have been identified as a zone 1, the highest risk category of radon by the EPA." A supporting member noted statistics on typical Iowa radon levels: "70 percent of Iowa homes have an elevated radon level. EPA action level is 4 picocuries. The average Iowa home is at 8." Proponents argued mitigation is cheaper during construction than retrofitting and cited proposed grants to help more than 500 homes a year.
After floor remarks emphasizing bipartisan public-health benefits, the house placed House File 2297 on final passage and declared it passed.
