EPA National Radon Proficiency Program
10/1/1998

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ceased operation of its National Radon Proficiency Program (RPP) as of September 30, 1998 due to limited resources. The radon proficiency program was EPA's process of testing and listing individuals who are in the business of performing radon testing and mitigation, as well as accrediting radon chambers and laboratories, and approving measuring devices.

EPA recommended the private sector take over this task and awarded a cooperative agreement to the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc. (CRCPD) of Frankfort KY to design criteria for the above tasks. CRCPD awarded a one year contract to the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) of Denver, CO for the privatization of the proficiency program. EPA has also acknowledged the private radon proficiency program developed by the National Radon Safety Board which some states have used for their RPP.

EPA reiterated its position on the risk of radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer (second only to cigarette smoking) and strongly recommends all homes be tested, and to mitigate all homes that meet or exceed EPA's action level of 4.0 pCi/L.

EPA also recommends that anyone providing radon services to consumers continue to comply with any state requirements. Presently 34 states have no certification requirements, however, most recommend RPP certification of service providers. 16 states have their own certification program (based in part or entirely on the RRP certification program) of which 5 states (Maine, Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, and California) have relied on the EPA RPP program 100%.

The bottom line is all the individual states will have to establish or re-establish their own requirements and until they do (which could be several months or more) we recommend all radon related service providers comply with preexisting state requirements.