U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Inspector General
At a Glance
09-P-0151
May 12, 2009
Catalyst for Improving the Environment
Why We Did This Review
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)
estimates that about 20,000
lung cancer deaths each year
in the United States are related
to indoor exposure to radon.
The only way to know
whether indoor radon levels
are elevated is to test the
indoor air. The purpose of
this evaluation was to
determine how EPA ensures
that radon testing devices and
radon laboratories provide
accurate and reliable data on
indoor radon levels.
Background
Radon is a naturally occurring
gas that seeps out of rocks and
soil into the air in homes from
the movement of gases
beneath homes. Radon builds
up to higher concentrations
indoors when it is unable to
disperse. Radon attaches to
tiny dust particles in indoor air
that are easily inhaled into the
lungs and can adhere to the
lining of lungs.
For further information,
contact our Office of
Congressional, Public Affairs
and Management at
(202)566-2391.
To view the full report,
click on the following link:
www.epa.qov/oiq/reports/2009/
20090512-09-P-0151.pdf
EPA Does Not Provide Oversight of
Radon Testing Accuracy and Reliability
What We Found
EPA does not perform oversight of radon testing device accuracy or reliability.
The 1988 Indoor Radon Abatement Act required that EPA establish proficiency
programs for firms offering radon-related services, including testing and
mitigation. EPA established and operated proficiency programs until 1998, when
it disinvested in these programs. According to Agency representatives, EPA has
neither the authority nor resources to ensure radon testing devices and testing
laboratories are accurate and reliable. EPA asserts that it shares oversight
responsibility with States and industry, including the two national proficiency
programs operating under private auspices. However, without oversight, EPA
cannot assure that radon testing devices provide accurate data on indoor radon
risks or that radon testing laboratories accurately analyze and report radon results.
Recent studies - while not nationwide in scope - have identified problems with
the accuracy of radon testing devices. Also, a recent New England study
identified problems with the quality of laboratory analyses of radon testing.
Nonetheless, a key 2009 EPA publication on the Agency's Website continues to
state that radon testing devices provide reliable measurements of indoor radon
levels. In its 2009 A Citizen's Guide to Radon: The Guide to Protecting Yourself
and Your Family from Radon, EPA states:
MYTH: Radon testing devices are not reliable and are difficult to find.
FACT: Reliable testing devices are available from qualified radon
testers and companies.
However, EPA does not have data within the last 10 years to support that radon
test kits or testers are reliable.
What We Recommended
We recommended that the Agency disclose that while radon testing is
recommended, EPA cannot provide assurance that commercially available radon
testing devices or testing laboratories are accurate and reliable. EPA generally
agreed with this recommendation and stated that it will review and revise both its
Web-based and printed public materials, as appropriate. However, the Agency did
not provide information on how it intends to characterize the accuracy and
reliability of radon testing in its public documents. More information is needed to
assess whether EPA's planned actions meet the intent of this recommendation.
We also recommended that EPA inform Congress that the limitations of reliable
testing for radon may negatively affect achieving Indoor Radon Abatement Act
goals. EPA agreed with this recommendation and plans to include this in its next
Performance and Accountability Report to Congress. The Agency's planned
action meets the intent of this recommendation.
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