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

New-construction techniques and HVAC (heating, venting and air conditioning) overpressurization for radon reduction in schools

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7072215

Construction of a school in Fairfax County, Virginia, is being carefully monitored since elevated indoor radon levels have been identified in many existing houses near the site. Soil-gas radon concentrations measured prior to pouring of the slabs were also indicative of a potential radon problem should the soil gas enter the school; however, subslab radon measurements collected thus far are lower than anticipated. In addition, the school's heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system has been designed to operate continously in overpressurization to help reduce pressure-driven entry of radon-containing soil gas into the building. Following completion, indoor radon levels in the school will be monitored to determine the effectiveness of these radon-resistant new-construction techniques and HVAC overpressurization in limiting radon entry into the school.

Research Organization:
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC (USA). Air and Energy Engineering Research Lab.
OSTI ID:
7072215
Report Number(s):
PB-88-196159/XAB; EPA-600/D-88/073
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English