---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 2669"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "2669"
heading: "Study of radon in Federal buildings"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/2669"
units:
  - "Chapter 53 — Toxic Substances Control"
  - "Subchapter III — Indoor Radon Abatement"
---

# §2669. Study of radon in Federal buildings

- (a) **Study requirement—** The head of each Federal department or agency that owns a Federal building shall conduct a study for the purpose of determining the extent of [radon](/usc/15/2662.md?p=3) contamination in such buildings. Such study shall include, in the case of a Federal building using a nonpublic water source (such as a well or other groundwater), [radon](/usc/15/2662.md?p=3) contamination of the water.
- (b) **High-risk Federal buildings—**
  - (1) The [Administrator](/usc/15/2642.md?p=2) shall identify and compile a list of areas within the [United States](/usc/15/2602.md?p=17) which the [Administrator](/usc/15/2642.md?p=2), in consultation with Federal departments and agencies, determines have a high probability of including Federal buildings which have elevated levels of [radon](/usc/15/2662.md?p=3).
  - (2) In compiling such list, the [Administrator](/usc/15/2642.md?p=2) shall make such determinations on the basis of, among other things, the following:
    - (A) Geological data.
    - (B) Data on high [radon](/usc/15/2662.md?p=3) levels in homes and other structures near any such Federal building.
    - (C) Physical characteristics of the Federal buildings.
- (c) **Study designs—** Studies required under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be based on design criteria specified by the [Administrator](/usc/15/2642.md?p=2). The head of each Federal department or agency conducting such a study shall submit, not later than July 1, 1989, a study design to the [Administrator](/usc/15/2642.md?p=2) for approval. The study design shall follow the most recent Environmental Protection Agency [guidance](/usc/15/2602.md?p=7) documents, including “A Citizen’s Guide to [Radon](/usc/15/2662.md?p=3)”; the “Interim Protocol for Screening and Follow Up: [Radon](/usc/15/2662.md?p=3) and [Radon](/usc/15/2662.md?p=3) Decay Products Measurements”; the “Interim Indoor [Radon](/usc/15/2662.md?p=3) & [Radon](/usc/15/2662.md?p=3) Decay Product Measurement Protocol”; and any other recent [guidance](/usc/15/2602.md?p=7) documents. The study design shall include testing data from a representative sample of Federal buildings in each high-risk area identified in [subsection (b)](#b). The study design also shall include additional testing data to the extent resources are available, including any reliable data supplied by Federal agencies, [States](/usc/15/2642.md?p=14), or other parties.
- (d) **Information on risks and testing—**
  - (1) The [Administrator](/usc/15/2642.md?p=2) shall provide to the departments or agencies conducting studies under [subsection (a)](#a) the following:
    - (A) [Guidance](/usc/15/2602.md?p=7) and data detailing the risks associated with high [radon](/usc/15/2662.md?p=3) levels.
    - (B) Technical [guidance](/usc/15/2602.md?p=7) and related information concerning testing for [radon](/usc/15/2662.md?p=3) within Federal buildings and water supplies.
    - (C) Technical [guidance](/usc/15/2602.md?p=7) and related information concerning methods for reducing [radon](/usc/15/2662.md?p=3) levels.
  - (2) In addition to the assistance required by [paragraph (1)](#d-1), the [Administrator](/usc/15/2642.md?p=2) is authorized to make available, on a cost reimbursable basis, to the departments or agencies conducting studies under [subsection (a)](#a) [devices](/usc/15/55.md?p=d) suitable for use by such departments or agencies in conducting tests for [radon](/usc/15/2662.md?p=3) within Federal buildings. For the purpose of assisting such departments or agencies in evaluating any such [devices](/usc/15/55.md?p=d) for the presence of [radon](/usc/15/2662.md?p=3) levels, the [Administrator](/usc/15/2642.md?p=2) is authorized to recommend laboratories or to make available to such departments or agencies, on a cost reimbursable basis, the use of laboratories of the Environmental Protection Agency.
- (e) **Study deadline—** Not later than June 1, 1990, the head of each Federal department or agency conducting a study under [subsection (a)](#a) shall complete the study and provide the study to the [Administrator](/usc/15/2642.md?p=2).
- (f) **Report to Congress—** Not later than October 1, 1990, the [Administrator](/usc/15/2642.md?p=2) shall submit a report to the Congress describing the results of the studies conducted pursuant to [subsection (a)](#a).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 94–469, title III, § 309, as added Pub. L. 100–551, § 1(a), Oct. 28, 1988, 102 Stat. 2763.)