Control of indoor radon and radon progeny concentrations

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · ASHRAE Trans.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5579711

Sextro, R G

There are three general categories of techniques for the control of radon and radon progeny concentrations in indoor air -- restriction of radon entry, reduction of indoor radon concentrations by ventilation or air cleaning, and removal of airborne radon progeny. The predominant radon entry process in most residences appears to be pressure driven flow of soil gas through cracks or other openings in the basement, slab, or subfloor. Sealing these openings or ventilation of the subslab or subfloor space are methods of reducing radon entry rates. Indoor radon concentrations may be reduced by increased ventilation. The use of charcoal filters for removal of radon gas in indoor air by adsorption has also been proposed. Concentrations of radon progeny, which are responsible for most of the health risks associated with radon exposures, can be controlled by use of electrostatic or mechanical filtration. Air circulation can also reduce radon progeny concentrations in certain cases. This paper reviews the application and limitations of each of these control measures and discusses recent experimental results.

• Research Organization: Building Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Program, Lawrence Berkeley Lab., Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 5579711
• Report Number(s): CONF-850606-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: ASHRAE Trans.; (United States) Journal Volume: 91:2B
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
500300* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
510301 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- Soil-- (-1987)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR
AIR FLOW
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
AIR QUALITY
BASEMENTS
BUILDING MATERIALS
BUILDINGS
CONTROL
DAUGHTER PRODUCTS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS
ELEMENTS
EMISSION
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EQUIPMENT
FILTERS
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
GAS FLOW
GASES
GROUND RELEASE
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
ISOTOPES
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL FILTERS
NONMETALS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
RADON
RARE GASES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SEALING MATERIALS
SOILS
VENTILATION
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT