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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Intensive radon mitigation research: Lessons learned

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6777636
In the past three years, two intensive radon mitigation projects have been conducted on 15 houses in the Pacific Northwest and seven houses in New Jersey. Both studies collected extensive continuous and periodic data on important house and environmental parameters such as indoor and soil gas radon concentrations, indoor and outdoor temperatures, pressure differentials, ventilation rates, and mitigation system performance. Key findings indicate that soil temperatures can substantially influence the pressure difference that drives radon entry; forced air distribution systems can influence both substructure depressurization and the transport of radon to upper floors; air-to-air heat exchangers and basement overpressurization are successful control techniques in limited situations; subsurface ventilation is often an effective control measure; and resistance to flow for subsurface ventilation systems is greatly influenced by the leakiness of the substructure surfaces that are below grade. General guidance for future studies include an emphasis on research into the fundamentals of radon movement and mitigation. 8 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098; AI79-83BP12921
OSTI ID:
6777636
Report Number(s):
LBL-25910; CONF-8810134-1; ON: DE89001260
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English