(a) The Department of Environmental Resources shall have the power and its duty shall be to develop and implement, in cooperation with the United States Government and private industry, methods of remedial action to reduce unsafe levels of naturally occurring radon gas in residential buildings. The department may enter into contracts with builders, remodelers and other private contractors to assist the department in developing experimental or prototypic systems of remedial action. Such systems shall be installed or incorporated into occupied residential buildings with the permission of the owners. Upon completion, any and all materials so incorporated shall become fixtures of the property and shall not be removed without the consent of the property owner.

(b) The department shall establish minimum standards for materials and craftsmanship of contractors participating in this project. In addition, the department shall advise homeowners, in areas known to be affected by high radon concentrations, of ways to avoid unscrupulous or unqualified contractors.