Radon reduction and radon-resistant construction demonstrations in New York. Volume 1. Technical report. Final report, March 1987-February 1991

Technical Report · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:6849396

Nitschke, I; Clarkin, M; Clark, W; Hough, R E

The report gives results of radon reduction and radon-resistant construction demonstrations in New York. The existing house evaluation demonstrated radon mitigation techniques where indoor radon concentrations exceeded 4 pCi/L. Results demonstrated that sealing all accessible foundation penetrations in the basement effectively reduced the radon concentration, although not below 4 pCi/L, and that sealing aids the effectiveness of an active depressurization system. Active depressurization systems were usually successful in achieving 4 pCi/L. The footing drain, sub-slab, and basement walls were all successfully depressurized using a standard technique after grab samples or radon 'sniffing' techniques were used to identify the radon entry sources. Basement pressurization also effectively reduced the radon level below the EPA guideline at one site. Water aeration systems effectively mitigated radon from residential water supplies, although the system tested was large and noisy. Activated charcoal filters adsorbed the radon in water, but eventually became an unacceptable source of gamma radiation. The inspection of houses where radon mitigation systems were installed in 1984 revealed that new systems and techniques, such as in-line centrifugal fans, were generally superior to the earlier methods using axial computer-type fans.

• Research Organization: Fleming Group, East Syracuse, NY (United States)
• OSTI ID: 6849396
• Report Number(s): PB-93-163061/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320107 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Systems-- (1987-)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACTIVATED CARBON
ADSORBENTS
AERATION
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
BUILDING MATERIALS
BUILDINGS
CARBON
CHARCOAL
CHARGES
CONCRETES
CONSTRUCTION
CONTROL
DEPRESSURIZATION SYSTEMS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
EVALUATION
FILTERS
FLUIDS
GAMMA RADIATION
GASES
HOUSES
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INSPECTION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MATERIALS
MITIGATION
MONITORING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NEW YORK
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
PRESSURIZATION
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIATIONS
RADON
RARE GASES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
SLABS
SOILS
TESTING
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
WALLS
WATER TREATMENT