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RADON REDUCTION AND RADON-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION DEMONSTRATIONS IN NEW YORK - VOLUME 1: TECHNICAL REPORT
Citation:
Nitschke, I., M. Clarkin, W. Clark, AND R. Hough. RADON REDUCTION AND RADON-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION DEMONSTRATIONS IN NEW YORK - VOLUME 1: TECHNICAL REPORT. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/R-93/043a (NTIS PB93-163061), 1993.
Impact/Purpose:
information
Description:
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 instapection 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.