Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) proposed a rule requiring credentials to place or retrieve a radon test. They said that this was consistent with the current national standard. (MAH 2014 Protocols for Conducting Measurements of Radon and Radon Decay Products in Homes). I disagreed.

The original EPA protocol clearly allowed a credentialed person to train and supervise their staff. Was this also the intent of MAH 2014? To find the truth, I polled the leadership of the credentialing agencies and the individuals on the committee that wrote MAH 2014. I asked “Does MAH 2014 require a credentialed person on site when placing and retrieving a radon gas test?” A common response was “RDP tests require the credentialed person on site, radon gas tests do not.” Others said that both RDP and radon gas tests require a credentialed person on site.

The dispute may be over. The radon executive at MDH that I, and others, have sparred with over this question in Minnesota’s legislature, hearing rooms and court rooms is on the committee that wrote MAH Draft 10-2018- an update of MAH 2014. If approved, this will become the new law of the land.

Here is the proposed language for test placement and retrieval:

8.1 b) individuals who place, retrieve … radon measurement devices shall be qualified measurement professionals.

In other words, you must take the class, pass the test and get certified before you can place or retrieve a test.

NRPP certified inspectors tell me “If I can train my inspectors to assess a home’s structural, mechanical and electrical systems, I can train them to place and retrieve a test”. This practice, used by many of us for over 30 years, will end if the proposed language is adopted.

If this is the will of our industry, so be it- I’ll shut up and move on. But if it’s the government pushing its will on the industry- I’m troubled that it got this far.

This standard will be in the public comment period until December 17. I hope you follow the link below to print and read the proposed standard, and suggest revisions if you feel compelled to.

I was invited to serve on the above committee but declined for selfish reasons. I applaud the unselfish professionals who do volunteer to serve the radon industry and its clients.

Cut this link and past it in your address bar to view and comment on the proposed standard:

aarst-nrpp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/MAH_2018_10_pubreview.pdf