By Margaret Henderson
The public policy of the State of Nebraska in protecting public health and safety includes maximizing practicable protection of its citizens from radon or its decay products. The state’s Radiation Control Act establishes requirements for appropriate qualifications for persons who provide measurement and mitigation services.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Radon Program effort includes issuing licenses to radon measurement specialists, radon mitigation specialists, radon measurement businesses, or radon mitigation businesses. Fees for licensure and mitigation systems are collected and support the program’s activities, including inspections to determine that requirements are being met and undertaking disciplinary provisions if necessary.
Comprehensive rules, Title 180 NAC, Chapter 11, effective July 5, 2015, detail requirements. See
http://www.sos.ne.gov/rules-and-regs/regsearch/Rules/Health_and_Human_Services_System/Title-180/Chapter-11.pdf
These rules include definitions, operating requirements, licensure specifications, training course and continuing competency requirements, worker health and safety specifications and other technical details related to the various aspects of the radon businesses.
The Radon Program inspects mitigation systems and audits licensed companies and can apply civil penalties if serious problems are discovered. Jeremy Poell, Radon Program Manager, notes that between 500 and 600 inspections are done annually and companies are required to report information to the state monthly. Test results are added to the department’s database and updated data and maps are prepared approximately every two years.
In Nebraska, most of the state is identified as being in the high radon zone (exceeding the EPA 4 pCi/L recommended action level) so there is a considerable industry involved in radon detection and mitigation. Currently, the Radon Program licensees number:
- 93 measurement companies;
- 169 measurement specialists;
- 41 mitigation businesses; and
- 74 mitigation specialists.
In addition to the licensure and inspection activities, the Radon Program offers testing for schools (six districts per year) and works with schools to offer technical assistance if necessary.
Public inquiries from concerned citizens and realtors are answered by the Radon Program and other outreach activities are offered through mini-grants to 13 local health departments in Nebraska. The local departments conduct promotional activities, provide public service announcements, and give presentations at functions such as home shows.
Through licensing, inspection, and providing public information and outreach, the Radon Program administers the public policy of the state-- protecting the public health and promoting safety with respect to the hazards of radon or its decay products.
For more information about the Nebraska Radon Program activities, contact:
Jeremy Poell
Radon Hotline: 800-334-9491
DHHS.HealthHazardsIndoorAir@nebraska.gov
http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Pages/radon_general.aspx
United States