UNITED-STATES-ENVIRONMENTAL-PROTECTION-AGENCY NATIONAL RADON PROFICIENCY PROGRAMS

The US Environmental Protection Agency's voluntary National Radon Prof iciency Programmes: Radon Measurement, and Reduction Proficiency are d escribed, including their history and development, current status and future directions. The Radon Measurement Proficiency (RMP) and Radon C ontractor Proficiency (RCP) programmes are fundamental to the Agency's programme to reduce the health risk associated with exposure to eleva ted radon levels in indoor air. Originally developed to provide techni cal assistance to States, the proficiency programmes now offer US cons umers assurance of the quality of their radon measurements and reducti on jobs. In other words, the proficiency programmes provide a means to consumers for deciding from which oganisations or individuals to purc hase radon services. This is especially important in the United States where most radon services are acquired through private enterprises ra ther than through the public sector. The Agency encourages the public to purchase radon measurement and reduction services only from organis ations or individuals that have met the requirements of EPA's proficie ncy programmes. An increasing number of States require an EPA proficie ncy listing for their radon registration, licensing, and certification programmes. EPA estimates that about 85% of US companies offering rad on services are participating in its proficiency programmes. Consequen tly, the Agency believes that the development and growth of quality ra don services has kept pace with consumer demand. The United States mar ketplace for residential radon measurement and mitigation services has been dynamic since its inception in the mid-1980s. The fluidity of th e market is likely to continue, with some significant changes appearin g imminent. The US Congress is now considering legislation that would require participation in the Agency's radon proficiency programmes. In addition, this legislation contains provisions that would encourage c onsumer testing. Increased testing, coupled with a mandatory national proficiency programme, is likely to result in an increase in the quali ty of radon services available to the US public.