Radon Program Development Act of 1987

(Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R. 2837) Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to establish as the national long-term goal that the air within buildings be as free of radon as the ambient air outside of buildings. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to publish and make available to the public by June 1, 1989, an updated version of its document titled "A Citizen's Guide to Radon". Sets forth the information which such guide must provide, including information as to the health risk associated with different levels of radon exposure. Requires the Administrator to develop and make available to the public by June 1, 1990, model construction standards and techniques for controlling radon levels within new buildings. Directs the Administrator to develop and implement activities to assist State radon programs such as: (1) an information clearinghouse; (2) proficiency programs rating the effectivenss of radon measurement and mitigation devices, methods, and services; (3) training seminars for government officials and private and professional firms dealing with radon; (4) radon measurement and mitigation methods; and (5) a national data base on the location and amounts of radon. Authorizes the Administrator to provide a State with technical assistance in developing or implementing programs addressing radon. Requires the Administrator to: (1) provide information concerning technology and methods of radon assessment and mitigation to professional organizations representing private firms involved in building design, engineering, and construction; and (2) submit an annual plan to the Congress identifying the assistance to be provided to States for radon programs. Directs the Administrator to impose charges on persons applying for a proficiency rating and on private and professional firms participating in training seminars to defray the costs of such program and seminars. Authorizes appropriations to start such program and seminars. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991 for the development of model construction standards and techniques, publication of the radon guide, and operation of training seminars. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States on an annual basis for radon assessment and mitigation, covering the same types of activities the Administrator may provide directly through technical assistance. Gives preference to States that have made reasonable efforts to ensure the adoption of model construction standards and techniques within the State. Grants priority to State projects which involve serious radon contamination or potential for reduction, including the development of innovative techniques. Limits the Federal share of costs to 75 percent in the first year, 60 percent in the second, and 50 percent in the third. Limits per State grants to ten percent of the total funds available. Places other limitations on the uses of grant money. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991. Directs the Administrator to study the extent of radon contamination in the Nation's school buildings, including a statistical survey of radon levels in schools in each State and a list of areas which have a high probability of including schools which have elevated radon levels. Requires the Administrator to provide States with a list of high risk areas and other information concerning radon risks, testing, and mitigation. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) provide devices to States for conducting radon tests; and (2) undertake diagnostic and remedial efforts at high radon level school buildings to reduce such radon levels and develop the necessary technology and expertise for use by local educational agencies and States. Sets forth radon study reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator to make grants to at least three colleges, universities, institutions of higher learning, or consortia of such institutions for the establishment and operation of a regional radon training centers which develop information and provide training to government officials, professional and private firms, and the public regarding the health risks posed by radon and demonstrated methods of radon measurement and mitigation. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991. Requires the head of each Federal department or agency that owns a Federal building to conduct, with the Administrator's assistance, a study to determine the extent of radon contamination in such buildings. Directs the Administrator to compile a list of areas that have a high probability of including Federal buildings with elevated radon levels. Requires that such studies be completed by June 1, 1990, and their results reported to the Congress by October 1, 1990.

(Measure passed Senate, amended) Radon Program Development Act of 1987 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or his designee to develop and implement activities to assist State radon programs, including: (1) establishing an information clearinghouse; (2) publishing informational materials for the public and for government officials; (3) demonstrating radon mitigation methods; and (4) establishing a national data base on the location and amounts of radon. Authorizes the Administrator to provide a State with technical assistance in developing or implementing programs addressing radon, including: (1) surveys of radon location and occurrence; (2) public information programs; and (3) controlling radon in existing or new structures. Directs the Administrator to: (1) implement a voluntary program to provide information to the public on firms or individuals that can reliably measure radon; (2) design and implement training seminars for radon problem professionals and regulators; and (3) develop a voluntary information program for the public on firms that can reduce radon levels. Authorizes the Administrator, in providing such information and services, to collect fees from firms or individuals, to be deposited in the Radon Service Fee Account in the Treasury. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States, at their request, to assist in developing and implementing radon assessment and mitigation programs which include radon level surveys, information materials, equipment, and a toll-free radon information "Hot Line." Grants priority to State projects which involve serious radon contamination or potential for reduction, including the development of innovative techniques. Limits the Federal share of such program costs in decreasing percentages over three years. Limits per State grants to 15 percent of the total funds available. Places other limitations on the use of grant money. Directs the Administrator to study radon contamination in school buildings, including a list of areas where schools' radon levels probably exceed recommended target levels. Requires the Administrator to make such information available to the respective States along with technical information and assistance on risks, testing, and reduction. Authorizes the Administrator to select school buildings from high risk areas for developing diagnostic and remedial technology. Directs the Administrator to report, within one year, to the Congress on the implementation of this Act, the school survey, and the effectiveness of prescribed radon mitigation measures. Requires a final report on the school survey within two years. Requires the heads of specified Federal agencies to study the extent of radon contamination in Federal buildings. Requires the Administrator to list areas where the radon levels in such buildings probably exceed recommended target levels. Sets forth criteria for such studies' design, utilizing EPA guidance documents. Directs the Administrator to provide such agencies with information on risks, testing, and reduction. Requires such studies to be completed and submitted to the Administrator, within 20 months after enactment of this Act, who will then report to the Congress within two years from enactment. Authorizes appropriations.

(Reported to Senate from the Committee on Environment and Public Works with amendment, S. Rept. 100-91) Radon Program Development Act of 1987 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or his designee to develop and implement activities to assist State radon programs, including: (1) establishing an information clearinghouse; (2) publishing informational materials for the public and for government officials; (3) demonstrating radon mitigation methods; and (4) establishing a national data base on the location and amounts of radon. Authorizes the Administrator to provide a State with technical assistance in developing or implementing programs addressing radon, including: (1) surveys of radon location and occurrence; (2) public information programs; and (3) controlling radon in existing or new structures. Directs the Administrator to: (1) implement a voluntary program to provide information to the public on firms or individuals that can reliably measure radon; (2) design and implement training seminars for radon problem professionals and regulators; and (3) develop a voluntary information program for the public on firms that can reduce radon levels. Authorizes the Administrator, in providing such information and services, to collect fees from firms or individuals, to be deposited in the Radon Service Fee Account in the Treasury. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States, at their request, to assist in developing and implementing radon assessment and mitigation programs which include radon level surveys, information materials, equipment, and a toll-free radon information "Hot Line." Grants priority to State projects which involve serious radon contamination or potential for reduction, including the development of innovative techniques. Limits the Federal share of such program costs in decreasing percentages over three years. Limits per State grants to 15 percent of the total funds available. Places other limitations on the use of grant money. Directs the Administrator to study radon contamination in school buildings, including a list of areas where schools' radon levels probably exceed recommended target levels. Requires the Administrator to make such information available to the respective States along with technical information and assistance on risks, testing, and reduction. Authorizes the Administrator to select school buildings from high risk areas for developing diagnostic and remedial technology. Directs the Administrator to report, within one year, to the Congress on the implementation of this Act, the school survey, and the effectiveness of prescribed radon mitigation measures. Requires a final report on the school survey within two years. Requires the heads of specified Federal agencies to study the extent of radon contamination in Federal buildings. Requires the Administrator to list areas where the radon levels in such buildings probably exceed recommended target levels. Sets forth criteria for such studies' design, utilizing EPA guidance documents. Directs the Administrator to provide such agencies with information on risks, testing, and reduction. Requires such studies to be completed and submitted to the Administrator, within 20 months after enactment of this Act, who will then report to the Congress within two years from enactment. Authorizes appropriations.

State Radon Program Development Act of 1987 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to develop and implement activities to assist State radon programs such as: (1) establishing an information clearinghouse; (2) designing and implementing training seminars for government officials; (3) demonstrating radon mitigation methods; and (4) establishing a national data base on the location and amounts of radon. Authorizes the Administrator to provide a State with technical assistance in developing or implementing programs addressing radon, including: (1) surveys of radon location and occurrence; (2) public information programs; and (3) controlling radon in existing or new structures. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress annually on a plan to implement this assistance program. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States on an annual basis for radon assessment and mitigation, covering the same activities the Administrator may provide directly through technical assistance. Grants priority to State projects which involve serious radon contamination or potential for reduction, including the development of innovative techniques. Limits the Federal share of costs to 75 percent. Limits per State grants to 15 percent of the total funds available. Places other limitations on the uses of grant money. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990.