US Environmental Protection Agency`s radon mitigation standards: A status report

This paper describes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency`s Radon Mitigation Standards (RMS) and complementary standards developed through the American Society for Testing and Materials, E-6 committee on Performance of Building Constructions. In addition, the paper also discusses the application of the Radon Mitigation Standards through the voluntary EPA Radon Contractor Proficiency (RCP) Program and enforcement issues encountered during their first year of application. Adherance to Interim Radon Mitigation Standards was required of all program participants starting in December 1991. These interim standards were superseded by the final RMS as revised in April 1994. The EPA Radon Mitigation Standards have been incorporated into the radon certification programs in a number of states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Iowa. The standards serve to ensure the quality, performance and long-term effectiveness of residential radon mitigation systems. They are also incorporated into hands-on radon mitigation training which is required of all newly entering RCP Program participants.