EPA 402/B-22/004

Guidance on the Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards
for State Indoor Radon Grant Recipients

The purpose of this guidance is to recommend that states and other recipients of State Indoor Radon
Grants (SIRG) reference the most current voluntary consensus-based standards (VCS) supported by EPA
when implementing their radon programs. This guidance does not create or modify any obligations on
grantees, EPA, or any other stakeholders. EPA may revise or update this guidance at any time.

In 1988, Congress passed the Indoor Radon Abatement Act (IRAA or the Act). Among a range of
authorities provided by IRAA, the Act authorized funding for grants to help states and tribes establish
radon assessment and mitigation programs. In the past, SIRG recipients have often referred to EPA
technical guidance when establishing and implementing programs to guide various programmatic
components.

More recent guidance and statutory requirements direct EPA and other federal agencies to incorporate
VCS into regulatory and programmatic solutions if practical and consistent with applicable law.1,2 Such
standards undergo rigorous development and periodic review processes to incorporate new science, new
technology, and marketplace evolution. In response to these directives, EPA has generally shifted from
developing its own technical guidance toward participating in VCS processes to address technical issues.
The VCS development process involves several critical elements including public transparency, a formal
comment and response process, periodic review, and a balanced and representative range of stakeholder
involvement. For the last several years, EPA has been actively participating in the VCS process by
supporting development of VCS referenced below in partnership with industry, states, and other
stakeholders.

Citing or incorporating current radon VCS in state/tribal legislation, building codes, outreach, and other
program elements is a best practice for SIRG recipients. These standards may inform development of
state and local building codes. The use of VCS in radon programs across the country will help ensure
public health protection by incorporating current science and technology, as well as potentially reducing
marketplace confusion.

A list of the current EPA supported VCS and model codes addressing radon is provided below. As VCS
and model codes continue to evolve, stakeholders may refer to the EPA Radon Standards of Practice
website for up-to-date information.

Standards Addressing Radon Measurement and Mitigation:

(a)	MAH: Protocol for Conducting Measurements of Radon/Decay Products in Homes.

(b)	SGM-SF: Soil Gas Mitigation Standards for Existing Homes.

(c)	MAMF: Protocol for Conducting Measurements of Radon/Decay Products in
Multifamily Buildings.

(d)	RMS-MF: Radon Mitigation Standards for Multifamily Buildings.

(e)	MALB: Protocol for Conducting Measurements of Radon/Decay Products in Schools and
Large Buildings.

(f)	RMS-LB: Radon Mitigation Standards for Schools and Large Buildings.

(g)	MW-RN: Protocol for the Collection, Transfer and Measurement of Radon in Water

1	National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA). Section 12(d). March 7, 1996. Available at:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PI-AW-104publll3/pdf/PI-AW-104publll3.pdf.

2	Office of Management and Budget Circular A-119 (OMB A-119). 63 FR 8546; February 19, 1998. Available at:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1998-02-19/pdf/98-4177.pdf#page=l.

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Standards Addressing Radon in New Construction:

(a)	RRNC: Rough-In of Radon Control Components in New Construction of 1 & 2 Family
Dwellings and Townhouses

(b)	CCAH: Reducing Radon in New Construction of 1 & 2 Family Dwellings &
Townhouses.

(c)	CC-1000: Soil Gas Control Systems in New Construction of Buildings.

Standard Addressing Quality Assurance:

a)	MS-PC: Performance Specifications for Instrumentation Systems Designed to Measure
Radon Gas in Air.

b)	MS-QA: Radon Measurement Systems Quality Assurance.

Model Codes:

a)	International Green Construction Code (IgCC): Chapter 8 - Indoor Environmental
Quality and Chapter 10 - Construction and Plans for Operation.

b)	International Code Council (ICC-700): National Green Residential Standard

c)	International Residential Code (IRC): Appendix F - Radon Control Methods

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How can state or tribal radon programs access these standards? Can SIRG funds be used to
purchase copies of codes and standards for state or tribal personnel and for external
distribution?

Answer: EPA encourages states and tribes to use the publicly available read-only standards.
However, as relevant technical assistance documents, state and tribal radon programs may use
SIRG funds to purchase copies of codes and standards if needed to assist in operation of a radon
program. Anyone purchasing codes and standards should refer to copyright information included
in the documents and may need to contact the copyright owner regarding external distribution.

2.	As a SIRG grantee, will I lose funding if I do not reference current codes and standards?

Answer: While the use of these codes and standards is not required, and will not directly impact
funding levels, EPA is encouraging the use of current codes and standards to help ensure public
health protection.

3.	My state has their own radon standards, are those acceptable to continue referencing?

Answer: Across the country, there are instances of state policies referencing outdated radon
standards, which do not incorporate the latest science and technology. Radon program directors
should review existing state or tribal radon standards and evaluate whether they are consistent
with current methods and practices. Radon program directors are encouraged to update references
to outdated codes or standards and collaborate with policy makers to cite current radon standards
in state or tribal legislation, building codes, etc.

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