by Margaret Henderson
EPA reports success of SIRG grantees involved with radon education and outreach for the real estate profession in its report, Overview of EPA’s State Indoor Radon Grants: 2019 Activities.
Demonstrating a strong increase over the previous year, nearly 84% of grantees (41 out of 49) engaged in primary actions related to real estate transactions, including training real estate professionals, reporting total number of homes tested and/or mitigated and various other real estate related activities.
Some examples given include the Oregon Radon Awareness Program, the Nevada Radon Education Program (NREP), and the Ohio Radon Program.
Throughout 2019, the Oregon Radon Awareness Program focused on building partnerships and hosting training events with the Oregon Home Builders Association in order the share information about radon-resistant new construction (RRNC). RRNC is required in all public buildings (including schools) and residences built after April 1, 2013, in seven Oregon counties.
The Nevada Radon Education Program (NREP) educated more than 110 Realtors and developed two real estate continuing education classes entitled, “Radon: What Real Estate Professionals Need to Know” and “Radon and the Real Estate Professional” through the State of Nevada Real Estate Division. Nevada noted a nearly 25% increase in reported real estate testing over the previous year since offering these continuing education classes.
The Ohio Radon Program continues to offer a free 2-hour continuing education course to real estate professionals. In collaboration with the state Department of Commerce the training course is updated on an annual basis.
For more information, see https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-02/documents/sirg_2019_annual_summary_report_final.pdf
United States