Mitigation of Elevated Radon Levels

Mitigation is the term used to indicate the process of fixing a home when and if a radon test shows elevated levels. The EPA recommends fixing the home when radon levels are at 4.0 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. The EPA publication Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction will answer many questions.

In Iowa, if you are paying a fee to have a home mitigated for radon, you must use a state certified and qualified radon mitigation contractor trained to fix radon problems. To find them, they are listed on the Iowa Department of Public Health website by county, or alphabetically using the last name of the credentialed mitigation specialist.

The role of testing in the mitigation process.

Iowa Administrative Code 641--44.3(5)d states that the mitigating contractor will "Ensure that each building is tested for radon levels before and after mitigation work is performed. Such tests shall be of sufficient type, duration and consistency, and performed at such times and ventilation conditions as to allow for comparison of before and after mitigation radon levels. Premitigation and postmitigation radon tests shall be performed independently by a measurement specialist or technician who is not employed by the same firm as the mitigation specialist performing the mitigation. Postmitigation radon tests shall be started no sooner than one day after mitigation. This requirement is not binding if the building owner waives the procedure, on a form prescribed by the department, before the mitigation process has started."