Meghan Hodges
Radon is a naturally occurring, colourless, and odourless radioactive gas that is released from rocks, soil, and water. It is a major cause of lung cancer, with an estimated 21,000 deaths in the United States each year attributed to radon exposure. The risk of lung cancer increases by about 16% for every 100 Bq/m3 increase in long-term average radon concentration. Given the significant health risks associated with radon, controlling and mitigating radon pollution is crucial, especially in indoor environments where radon concentrations tend to be higher. Radon control strategies aim to reduce radon concentrations in new and existing buildings, utilizing techniques such as soil depressurization systems, sealing cracks, and increasing ventilation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Radon pollution control methods | Soil depressurization system, sealing foundation cracks, increasing ventilation, installing a radon reduction system |
| When to implement radon pollution control methods | If radon levels are at or above 4 pCi/L of air, or between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L |
| Who should implement radon pollution control methods | Qualified professionals, licensed professionals, radon mitigation professionals, building contractors |
| Importance of radon pollution control | Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer, especially for smokers |
| Radon testing | Testing kits are available at hardware stores, or professionals can be hired to test radon levels |
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What You'll Learn
Testing radon levels in your home
There are two types of radon test kits: short-term and long-term. Short-term kits measure radon levels in your home for 2–90 days, providing quick results. Long-term kits measure radon levels for over 90 days and give you a reading that is more likely to reflect your home's year-round average radon level. You can purchase these kits online, from a hardware store, or from a retail outlet. Some states offer free or discounted test kits to the public.
To test your home, place the measuring device in your basement or the lowest level of your home, raised three feet off the ground, in the middle of the room. Keep the windows and doors closed as much as possible during the test. Leave the kit in place for 48 to 72 hours, or as directed by the manufacturer. Send the kit to the specified lab for analysis and you should receive your results within a couple of weeks.
If your radon level is at or above 4 pCi/L of air, the EPA recommends contacting a qualified professional to install a radon reduction system. Even if your radon levels are not above 4 pCi/L, you may want to test again in the future, especially if you start occupying a lower level of your home, such as a basement.
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Installing a radon reduction system
Radon Testing and Professional Assessment
Before installing a radon reduction system, it is essential to test the radon levels in your home. You can hire a professional radon tester or purchase a radon test kit from a hardware store to do it yourself. If your home's radon level is at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends contacting a qualified professional to install a radon reduction system. Lowering high radon levels requires technical knowledge and special skills, so it is important to seek expert help.
Vent Pipe and Fan System
One of the most commonly used radon reduction systems is a vent pipe and fan system, also known as a soil depressurization system. This system pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it outside. This method does not require significant changes to your home's structure, making it a viable option for many residences.
Sealing Cracks and Openings
To enhance the effectiveness of the vent pipe and fan system, it is crucial to seal any cracks or openings in your home's foundation. Radon can enter your home through small cracks or holes in the foundation, so sealing these with plaster, caulk, or other appropriate materials is an essential step in the installation process. This not only makes the system more efficient but also more cost-effective.
System Installation and Testing
The installation process will depend on the specific design of your home, including the presence of a basement or crawl spaces. After installing the radon reduction system, it is important to test your home again to ensure the system is working effectively. Consider retesting your home every two years or after any remodelling projects to ensure radon levels remain low.
Additional Considerations
If you are constructing a new home, consider incorporating radon-resistant features to prevent or minimize radon entry. This can include implementing radon prevention standards and regulations during the building process. Additionally, increasing ventilation and improving airflow in your home can complement the radon reduction system by helping to circulate air and further reduce radon levels.
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Sealing cracks and openings
To seal cracks and openings, you can use plaster, caulk, or other materials designed for this purpose, such as low-VOC radon sealants. It is important to seal all cracks and openings that are accessible, including control joints, plumbing penetrations, and under the steps. In addition to sealing, you can also apply non-porous, thick epoxy coatings to basement floors, which can be a valuable part of a long-term radon mitigation strategy. However, sealing alone is rarely considered a good standalone technique for radon mitigation.
It is recommended to test radon levels again after sealing to ensure that the radon problem has been fixed.
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Increasing ventilation
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that is produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It is estimated to cause 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year, and there is no known safe level of exposure.
As radon is a gas that is lighter than air and easily influenced by air movements and pressure, increasing ventilation can help to reduce radon pollution. Here are some ways to increase ventilation to control radon pollution:
Open Windows, Doors, and Vents
Opening windows, doors, and vents can increase natural ventilation in your home. This strategy should be combined with other methods as it is only a temporary solution and may not be effective in all climates. For example, in hot climates, increased ventilation can lead to condensation damage, while in colder climates, heating elements are necessary to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.
Mechanical Ventilation
Mechanical ventilation involves using fans to increase air circulation and dilute radon concentrations. This can be done through supply ventilation, which pressurizes the indoors relative to the soil and outdoors, or exhaust ventilation, which depressurizes the indoors. Small supply fans have been successfully used in the United Kingdom and Switzerland to reduce indoor radon levels. However, critics argue that filters must be maintained, and windows and doors must be kept closed for this method to be effective.
Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)
A Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV), also known as an air-to-air heat exchanger, can be installed to increase ventilation and improve indoor air quality. This system pulls fresh air from outdoors and expels an equal volume of stale indoor air, including radon gas.
Radon Mitigation Systems
Radon mitigation systems use pipes and fans to continuously pull radon-laden air from the soil beneath a building and vent it outdoors through pipes that extend above the roof. These systems can be active, utilizing fans to force ventilation, or passive, relying on natural airflow. Sealing cracks and openings in the foundation can also limit the flow of radon and improve the efficiency of these systems.
It is important to note that while increasing ventilation can help reduce radon levels, it may not completely eliminate the risk. Combining multiple strategies and seeking professional advice for more comprehensive solutions is recommended.
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Radon-resistant construction techniques
Radon is a colourless, odourless, and chemically inert radioactive gas that occurs naturally due to the radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water. It is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, and the only way to know if radon levels are high is to test for it.
- Vent Pipe System: Install a vent pipe system with a fan to pull radon from beneath the house and vent it outside. This system, known as soil depressurization, does not require significant changes to the building structure. It is more effective when combined with sealing foundation cracks and openings.
- Radon Vent Pipe: Run a 3-inch or 4-inch solid PVC Schedule 40 pipe vertically from the gravel layer through the house's conditioned space and roof. Label this pipe "Radon System" to safely vent radon and other soil gases outside above the house.
- Sealing and Caulking: Seal all openings, cracks, and crevices in the concrete foundation floor and walls with polyurethane caulk or other suitable materials. This prevents radon and soil gases from entering the building.
- Junction Box: Install an electrical junction box in the attic, which can be used with a vent fan if a more robust radon mitigation system is needed.
- Gas Permeable Layer: Place a gas-permeable layer, typically a 4-inch layer of clean gravel, beneath the slab or flooring system. This allows soil gas to move freely underneath the house.
- Plastic Sheeting: Cover the gas-permeable layer with plastic sheeting before placing the slab to create a barrier that prevents soil gas from entering the home.
These radon-resistant construction techniques are essential for builders and contractors to provide healthier living environments for homebuyers and reduce their risk of lung cancer.
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Frequently asked questions
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that may be found in high concentrations in indoor environments, such as homes and workplaces. It is one of the leading causes of lung cancer.
You can hire a radon tester or purchase a radon test kit from a hardware store and do it yourself.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends contacting a qualified professional to install a radon reduction system if your home radon level is at or above 4 pCi/L of air.
A radon reduction system typically involves a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it outdoors. This system is known as a soil depressurization system and does not require major changes to your home.
Seal any cracks in floors and walls with plaster, caulk, or other materials designed for this purpose. Increase ventilation by opening windows and using fans to circulate air.
