Radon in schools. Report for May 1988-September 1989

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:7195632

Leovic, K W

The paper discusses radon entry into schools, radon mitigation approaches for schools, and school characteristics (e.g., HVAC system design and operation) that influence radon entry and mitigation system design. It also discusses mitigation systems installed by the U.S. EPA in four schools. The primary source of radon entry into a school with significantly elevated radon levels is normally soil gas that is drawn in by pressure differentials between the soil surrounding the substructure and the building interior. If the building interior is at a lower pressure than the soil surrounding the substructure and radon is present in the soil, the radon can be pulled in through cracks and other openings that are in contact with the soil. The amount of radon in a given classroom depends on the level of radon in the underlying material, the ease with which the radon moves as a component of the soil gas through the soil, the magnitude and direction of the pressure differentials, the number and size of the radon entry routes, and dilution and mixing of the room air. HVAC systems in schools vary considerably and tend to have greater impact on pressure differentials--and consequently radon levels--than do heating and air-conditioning (HAC) systems in houses.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC (USA). Air and Energy Engineering Research Lab.
• OSTI ID: 7195632
• Report Number(s): PB-90-132929/XAB; EPA--600/D-89/206
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540130* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AC SYSTEMS
AIR CONDITIONING
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
BUILDINGS
CONTROL
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FLUIDS
GASES
HEATING
HVAC SYSTEMS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
MASS TRANSFER
MITIGATION
MONITORING
NONMETALS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
POWER SYSTEMS
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
RADON
RARE GASES
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
SOILS
VENTILATION