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Radon Testing and Mitigation FAQs
Q: Are there state requirements for radon testing and mitigation activities?
A: States have radon and/or radiation programs with varying requirements and regulations. At this time, 15 states (CA, DE, FL, IA, IL, IN, KY, ME, NE, NJ, OH, PA, RI, VA, and WV) regulate or require qualification, certification, and/or licensing of providers of radon testing and mitigation. Some states also provide lists of contractors available in the state to perform radon testing and mitigation services. To find out about individual state programs and their requirements and services, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides the following website with links to each state: http://www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html.
Q: Can a home or other building owner do its own radon testing?
A: Yes. Do-it-yourself radon testing kits are readily available from the National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University. These kits are discounted and available online or through the mail using their order form at http://www.sosradon.org. In addition, some state also offer free or discounted radon testing kits to the public (see the link above) and some home improvement stores also carry the kits with instructions for placement and where to send the testing device.
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Q: Does the EPA make any recommendations about how often to test for radon?
A: The EPA recommends testing every 2 years, following a significant renovation, and if living patterns change, such as when someone begins occupying a lower level or basement. Home buyers and sellers may also want a radon test performed, especially if one has not been performed within the past 2 years or since a significant renovation. Some states and local jurisdictions also require disclosure of radon information to buyers.
Q: Where can a home or other building owner find qualified radon testing and mitigation contractors?
A: Although the EPA does not require training for providers of radon testing and mitigation services, there are two private organizations that offer proficiency listing/accreditation/certification training—the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) at www.nrpp.info and the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) at www.nrsb.org. Following the closure of the EPA’s National Radon Proficiency Program (RPP) in 1998, these two programs were formally recognized by the EPA in March 2001, however the determination expired on December 31, 2002, and was not extended so the programs cannot represent themselves as meeting EPA requirements or being EPA approved or listed. Since then, however, the EPA has encouraged the states, industry, and consumers to cooperate in identifying ways to improve non-federal radon proficiency programs and adopt the improvements as standards of practice. Again, state radon programs may provide additional guidance in choosing a qualified radon service provider.
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Q: Is there a federal requirement for the use of radon-resistant new construction (RRNC) techniques?
A: There are no federal requirements for the use of RRNC techniques, however, more and more states and jurisdictions are adopting RRNC building codes for new homes and multifamily housing. As of November 18, 2013, the EPA lists the following regarding state and jurisdictional adoption of RRNC Codes.
- Seven (7) states have statewide RRNC Codes that apply to certain designated jurisdictions: IL, MD, MI, MN, NJ, OR, and WA.
- Four (4) states have statewide RRNC Codes, but local jurisdictions must adopt them: FL, ME, RI, and VA.
- Eighteen (18) states have local jurisdictions with RRNC Codes but no statewide adoption of RRNC Codes: AL, CO, IA, ID, KS, MO, MT, NE, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, WI, WV, and WY.
- The remaining twenty-four (24) states and three (3) districts/territories have neither statewide nor local jurisdiction RRNC Codes.
Specific aspects of RRNC Codes by state are available from the EPA at http://www.epa.gov/radon/rrnc/code_listing.html.