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.
Continued on page 66 ...
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