Rural Iowans will soon have re
Advertisement
Updated: 4:19 PM CDT Aug 9, 2026Editorial Standards ⓘ
Ben Kaplan
Anchor/Reporter
Rural Iowans will soon have resources to combat radon-linked cancer risk
Updated: 4:19 PM CDT Aug 9, 2026Editorial Standards ⓘ
Ben Kaplan
Anchor/Reporter
DES MOINES, Iowa —
A total of $15 million from a federal grant is set to help rural Iowans combat radon exposure over the next five years. And the Marion County Public Health Department quickly learned its request to spearhead the initiative was accepted.”It was kind of a fast turnaround for all of us, for the state and then for us on the local level,” said Linsey Spoelstra, director of the Marion County Public Health Department. That’s because the funding comes from the state’s Healthy Hometowns plan
KCCI Investigates reported late last year that the plan was awarded more than $1 billion in federal dollars to help transform rural healthcare.The Combat Cancer initiative will put the money it receives toward addressing three components of cancer, including lung cancer and radon exposure. “This is our opportunity to help,” said Stacy Haas, the Combat Cancer program manager.Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency says all of Iowa is exposed to the highest potential for unsafe radon levels. The initiative aims to assist rural Iowans in limiting exposure in their homes by providing radon testing, mitigation and training to certify more specialists. “I think we have one licensed mitigator in Marion County,” Spoelstra said. According to Iowa Health and Human Services, the county isn’t alone when it comes to having limited access.There are only 100 certified mitigation specialists serving the state, with some even located outside Iowa.Mitigation specialists install systems to funnel radon gas out of homes. “Most of those mitigators already have a wait list, and so they’re several months out,” Haas said. HHS said there are also only 200 certified measurement specialists, who test radon levels to determine if mitigation is necessary.That means many rural areas have little to no access to either service. “And, so our first phase has been increasing the workforce,” Haas said. Haas told KCCI Investigates that 12 individuals have received mitigation scholarships, and 15 have received measurement scholarships. That means they have been approved to work with the state and will undergo free training, which includes 16 hours of coursework for measurement certification and an additional 24 hours for mitigation certification. As for the qualifications applicants need to possess, Haas says, “That they have some kind of background in providing construction-type work.
Advertisement
“So, mitigation requires construction in people’s homes, so do they have experience in HVAC systems, plumbing, heating, cooling. Are they a general contractor or handyman where they’re able to go into some of these people’s homes to provide the service,” Haas said. Those certified will commit to serving rural Iowa for at least five years
The hope is these specialists will be certified by early fall
That’s when the first wave of 30,000 radon test kits funded by the grant will be distributed to public health departments, and then to people to use in their homes
“And then after the testing has begun, then we’ll start accepting financial scholarship applications for people who want their home to be mitigated,” Spoelstra said
Mitigation is the costliest part of the process. Installing an active radon mitigation system, which utilizes pipes and a powered fan to help push radon out of the home, can start at $1,000
If the timeline holds, some Iowans could have their homes tested, approved for mitigation, and serviced by newly certified specialists within a year of the grant’s award. “Sometimes seeing those numbers put in your face makes you go, oh, now what can I do?” Haas said. Spoelstra added, “It’s been a lot of fun to get to know our public health partners across the state and get to do something together. It’s a huge project, but it’s been really good.” Over the next five years, the funding will provide 30,000 radon tests, mitigation for 500 homes, and training for 28 measurement and 28 mitigation specialists annually. Residents are encouraged to contact their local health departments to learn more about mitigation scholarships and qualifications.
Haas said the first step will be using a Combat Cancer radon test, which will be available at most county health departments soon
