Model Public Policies That Will Reduce Radon’s Risk
States Are The Vehicle for Public Health and Safety
Currently in the United States
21,000 Americans die of radon-induce lung cancer every year and radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Accordingly, EPA recommends ALL homebuyers test for radon.
Yet amazingly enough there is no requirement that homebuyers have to perform radon test; and until recently, there have been no existing state or federal laws even requiring them to be notified of the potential risk. Delaware and Illinois now have laws that go beyond requirements to report known radon and concentrate on educating the consumer-buyer.
Model Disclosure of Radon Information Laws
The model disclosure notification laws found on this site are the bare minimum to reduce the risk and help locate the potential 8 million homes U.S. homes at risk. These laws educate and warn the consumer about radon at the time of purchase and their implementation in no way interferes with real estate transactions. See the Illinois Radon Awareness Act (HB 1425) and the Delaware Buyer Notification Act.
Model Building Codes for Radon Resistant New Construction
Recently passed Minnesota legislation (HF 993 – enrolled in 2007) recognized Appendix F of the International Building Code and requires all newly constructed homes in Minnesota to be built radon resistant.
Additional resources for radon resistant (and radon ready) new construction are available to contractors and code enforcement jurisdictions through the recent promulgation of a new radon resistant construction standard - ASTM 1465.
Other Model Legislation
APRC Model Notification legislation
R.I. Required Testing legislation
New Jersey Required Testing legislation
ARPC Model Certification Legislation
Recognized Professional Certification Agencies
Two private certification agencies have been recognized by the U.S.E.P.A. to certify radon measurement and mitigation professionals in the United States. They are the National Radon Safety Board and the National Environmental Health Association’s National Radon Proficiency Program. These agencies ensure that professionals in unregulated states are certified to operated in a manner that protects the consumer.
To learn more about practical solutions and the impact of radon solutions on the nation’s housing stock, contact Peter Hendrick at director@aarst.org
To explore worldwide updates on radon’s health risk go to: http://www.epa.gov/radon/
For educational PSA’s about radon go to: http://www.epa.gov/radon/
For Real Life Cancer Survivors’ Stories in a PSA’s about radon’s risk, go to: http://www.cansar.org/video/drop_in_the_bucket.mpg
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