Evaluation of radon mitigation systems in 14 houses over a two-year period

Journal Article · Tue May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/10473289.1990.10466719· OSTI ID:6701552

Prill, R J; Fisk, W J; Turk, B H ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, CA (USA)

Fourteen single-family detached houses in Spokane, Washington, and Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, were monitored for two years after high concentrations of indoor radon had been mitigated. Each house was monitored quarterly using mailed alpha-track radon detectors deployed in each zone of the structure. To assess performance of mitigation systems during the second heating season after mitigation, radon concentrations in seven houses were monitored continuously for several weeks, mitigation systems in all houses were inspected, and selected other measurements were taken. In addition, occupants were also interviewed regarding their maintenance, operation, and subjective evaluation of the radon mitigation systems. Quarterly alpha-track measurements showed that radon levels had increased in most of the homes during many follow-up measurement periods when compared with concentrations measured immediately after mitigation. Mitigation-system performance was adversely affected by (1) accumulated outdoor debris blocking the outlets of subsurface pressurization pipes; (2) fans being turned off (e.g., because of excessive noise or vibration); (3) air-to-air heat exchanger, basement pressurization, and subsurface ventilation fans being turned off and fan speeds reduced; and (4) crawl-space vents being closed or sealed.

• OSTI ID: 6701552
• Journal Information: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (USA), Vol. 40:5; ISSN 1047-3289
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
HOUSES
CONTAMINATION
IDAHO
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
RADON
RADIATION MONITORING
WASHINGTON
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
VENTILATION
AIR POLLUTION
BUILDINGS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION X
FLUIDS
GASES
MONITORING
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION
RARE GASES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
USA
540130* - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)