Evolution of the Montana Radon Control Program
by Michael Gustafson, Small Business Ombudsman and Radon Program Coordinator
Over the past three years, the Montana Radon Control Program has evolved from a localized outreach effort into a robust statewide infrastructure. By bridging the gap between environmental regulations and sustainable business practices, the program now serves as a primary advocate for small businesses and a key partner in advancing public health safety through industry development.
Navigating the unique challenges of Montana’s vast frontier—defined by a dispersed population and a historical shortage of specialized labor—has required a strategic shift toward integrating radon services into existing professional trades. This evolution has successfully expanded Montana’s technical capacity while securing a direct voice for the state in the development of industry standards. Additionally, there have been many updated tools and resources on our program's webpage.
The following milestones define the program's current trajectory:
I. Strengthening Public Health Through Industry Development
• Targeted Workforce Expansion: To address the shortage of specialized labor across our expansive geography, strategic recruitment within the plumbing, electrical, HVAC, general construction, and excavation trades has increased the roster from 12 certified professionals three years ago to over 35 NRPP-certified mitigators. This expansion ensures a minimum of seven certified professionals are available to service every one of Montana’s 56 counties, effectively closing service gaps in our most rural areas.
• Sustainable Business Growth: Six additional businesses are currently training to integrate radon mitigation into their existing service platforms. This voluntary industry growth stabilizes the state’s infrastructure and ensures public health safety is supported by a qualified, local workforce.
• Advancing Construction Standards: Collaborative momentum within the building industry has led several local municipalities to begin evaluating the formal adoption of IRC Appendix BE, signaling a proactive shift toward standardized, built-in protection in new residential construction.
II. Fiscally Responsible Public Engagement
• Optimized Resource Allocation: The transition from "free kits" to a subsidized program has proven to be a fiscally prudent move, ensuring limited tax dollars are utilized with maximum efficiency. By requiring "skin in the game" from participants, the program has pivoted from distributing high volumes of kits to prioritizing actual usage. This shift has increased test completion rates from 41% to over 60%, ensuring state resources produce actionable health data.
• Community Presence & Accessibility: Expert guidance is delivered directly to residents through formal community presentations statewide. Furthermore, the initial launch of testing device programs in local libraries has placed radon measurement tools directly into the hands of the public, successfully overcoming geographical barriers to access.
III. Policy Integration and Standards Leadership
• National Standards Development: Serving as the representative for 39 non-regulatory states on the AARST Consortium on National Standards panels, the Program Coordinator directly influenced the most recent updates for measurement and mitigation standards. This involvement ensures that Montana’s unique needs are reflected in the national framework.
• Cancer Prevention Strategy: Following a partnership with the Huntsman Cancer Institute and formal confirmation from the three co-chairs of the Montana Cancer Coalition, radon is now officially positioned as a crucial part of the next Montana State Cancer Plan.
The Montana Radon Control Program remains dedicated to the progress made in protecting the health of all Montanans and is prepared to build upon this momentum through continued industry collaboration and responsible stewardship of resources. Please reach out if you would like to discuss these initiatives further.
For more information, contact:
Michael Gustafson | Small Business Ombudsman | Radon Program Coordinator
Air Quality Bureau | Air Quality Analysis & Planning Section
Montana Department of Environmental Quality
DESK: 406-444-6592 | Radon Hotline: 800-546-0483
Website https://deq.mt.gov/energy/Programs/radon
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@montanadeq
United States