Improvements needed in the Environmental Protection Agency's testing program for radon measurement companies

Technical Report · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990

OSTI ID:6206688

Hembra, R L

Radon, a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless gas, has been shown to cause lung cancer. As a result, EPA and the Public Health Service advise homeowners to test their homes and to take action if elevated radon levels are discovered. However, GAO believes that to make health decisions, homeowners need more assurance that the radon test results they obtain are accurate. This report discusses how greater accuracy in radon measurements would result from mandating company participation in the Radon Measurement Proficiency program and requiring radon measurement firms to meet minimum quality assurance requirements as a condition to participation. In addition, to ensure that state programs provide a minimum degree of control and consistency over radon measurement companies, GAO recommends that EPA issue guidance on the type of state programs and level of control it believes are needed at the state level in order to provide homeowners with adequate assurances that radon measurements are accurate.

• Research Organization: General Accounting Office, Washington, DC (USA). Resources, Community and Economic Development Div.
• OSTI ID: 6206688
• Report Number(s): GAO/T-RCED-90-54
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
ACCURACY
BUILDINGS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
HOUSES
MONITORING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NONMETALS
PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
QUALITY ASSURANCE
RADIATION MONITORING
RADON
RARE GASES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
STATE GOVERNMENT
TESTING
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS