From Policy Adoption to School-Level Accountability
One of the most significant legislative developments in 2025 was the focus on mandatory radon testing and mitigation in schools. In Pennsylvania, lawmakers introduced a House Bill, requiring school buildings to test for radon and address elevated levels exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action level of 4.0 pCi/L¹. Complementing this effort, a Senate Bill established requirements for testing protocols, mitigation timelines, and reporting obligations to ensure transparency and accountability².
Similar momentum has occurred in Iowa under the Gail Orcutt Radon School Safety Act. While the law mandates statewide school testing by 2027, investigative reporting in 2025 revealed that fewer than half of Iowa school districts had completed testing midway through the compliance window³. These findings are already influencing policy discussions about enforcement mechanisms, funding support, and technical assistance.
Illinois has also moved to protect children in educational settings—particularly those too young to advocate for themselves. In 2025, Illinois lawmakers advanced House Bill 3054, which would require licensed daycare centers and daycare homes to test for radon and implement corrective action plans when elevated levels are found. Under the proposal, facilities with radon levels at or above the EPA action level would be required to mitigate as a condition of licensure or license renewal, signaling an expansion of radon policy into early childhood environments¹¹.
Looking ahead to 2026, states are expected to shift from legislative passage to active enforcement, with clearer compliance benchmarks and increased public reporting. Early adopter states such as Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Illinois can serve as models for neighboring states considering similar child-centered radon protections.
Expanding Radon Policy Beyond Schools
While schools were the primary focus in 2025, policymakers increasingly acknowledged that radon exposure extends beyond classrooms into homes, rental properties, and commercial buildings. Legislative proposals and regulatory guidance began laying the groundwork for broader indoor air safety frameworks.
In parallel, the housing and finance sectors have tightened expectations around radon testing. Updated guidance tied to federally backed mortgage lending in 2025 emphasized certified radon testing and mitigation in multifamily and commercial properties, signaling a shift toward market-driven compliance⁹. These developments suggest that residential disclosure laws and commercial radon standards may gain momentum in 2026, even where formal statutes have not yet been enacted.
Illinois provides an example of how disclosure-based policy can function even in the absence of universal testing mandates. Under the Illinois Radon Awareness Act and the Illinois Real Property Disclosure Act, home sellers are required to disclose known radon hazards and test results to prospective buyers¹². In rental housing, landlords must provide radon hazard information to tenants, including a state-approved radon guide, and allow tenants the opportunity to test. If elevated radon levels are identified and not addressed, tenants may have legal remedies, including lease termination rights.
Data Transparency and Professional Standards
Another defining trend of 2025 was the push for greater transparency and stronger professional oversight. States emphasized access to radon testing data and reinforced certification requirements for professionals conducting measurements and mitigation.
Pennsylvania’s Radon Certification Act continues to require certification for individuals performing radon testing and mitigation, ensuring quality control and consumer protection⁷. National standards developed by the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) and credentialing through the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) further support consistent, reliable practices nationwide⁸.
Illinois has complemented these efforts through prevention-focused policy. The Illinois Radon-Resistant Construction Act requires passive radon-resistant construction techniques in new residential buildings, embedding radon exposure reduction into building practices rather than relying solely on post-construction mitigation¹³.
By 2026, more states are expected to launch publicly accessible radon data platforms, integrate radon information into property disclosures, and strengthen governance of the radon workforce—enhancing trust and enabling targeted public health interventions.
Financial Incentives Lower Barriers to Mitigation
Cost remains one of the most significant barriers to radon mitigation. In response, several states explored financial incentives in 2025 to encourage homeowners to act on elevated test results.
In Iowa, lawmakers advanced legislation offering tax credits for radon mitigation system installation, aiming to increase mitigation uptake by reducing out-of-pocket expenses⁴. Early evidence from similar programs suggests that financial incentives can significantly accelerate mitigation rates once testing reveals elevated radon levels.
As these programs move into implementation phases in 2026, policymakers are expected to assess their effectiveness and consider expanding eligibility or benefit amounts—particularly for low-income households disproportionately affected by radon exposure.
Federal Guidance and Program Continuity
At the federal level, the EPA continued to provide the scientific backbone for state radon programs through guidance, outreach campaigns, and technical resources. The EPA’s Citizen’s Guide to Radon remains the foundational reference for testing and mitigation nationwide⁵.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reaffirmed radon testing and mitigation requirements for federally assisted housing projects, reinforcing radon as a core environmental health concern within housing policy⁶.
While no comprehensive federal radon mandate was enacted in 2025, continued federal support is expected to underpin state and local efforts in 2026—particularly in underserved and high-risk communities.
A Turning Point for Radon Policy
Taken together, the legislative trends of 2025 set the stage for 2026 as a year of execution rather than experimentation. Mandatory school testing laws are moving into enforcement phases¹²³¹¹, transparency reforms are improving data quality and access⁷⁸¹³, financial incentives are making mitigation more attainable⁴, and federal guidance continues to provide consistency and credibility⁵⁶.
The ultimate success of these policies will be measured not in bills passed, but in reduced radon exposure, increased mitigation, and lives protected from preventable lung cancer. As radon policy matures, 2026 represents a critical opportunity to translate legislative intent into measurable public health impact.
1. Pennsylvania General Assembly, House Bill 289 (2025–2026)
2. Pennsylvania General Assembly, Senate Bill 760 (2025–2026)
3. Iowa Public Radio, October 1, 2025
4. Iowa Capital Dispatch, Radon Mitigation Tax Credit Bill
5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, A Citizen’s Guide to Radon
6. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Radon Requirements
7. American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST)
8. National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP)
9. Partner Engineering & Science, 2025 Housing Finance Radon Guidance
10. Air Quality News, International Radon Policy Commentary
11. Illinois General Assembly, House Bill 3054 (2025): Radon testing and mitigation requirements for licensed daycare facilities, https://legiscan.com/IL/bill/HB3054/2025
12. Illinois Radon Awareness Act & Illinois Real Property Disclosure Act: Seller and tenant radon disclosure requirements, https://www.ilga.gov
13. Illinois Radon-Resistant Construction Act: Passive radon systems in new residential construction, https://www.ilga.gov