Grantee Research Project Results
An experimental study to develop affordable non-invasive radon mitigation system For single-family dwellings
EPA Grant Number: SU840410Title: An experimental study to develop affordable non-invasive radon mitigation system For single-family dwellings
Investigators: Mansour, Osama E , Haddad, Bashar , Blevins, Cameron , Mason, Alex , Wilkinson, Chris , Payne, Daris , Hall, Peter
Current Investigators: Mansour, Osama E , Haddad, Bashar , Blevins, Cameron , Mason, Alex , Wilkinson, Chris , Payne, Daris , Hall, Peter , Cing, Niang (Lydia) , Blandford, Caitlyn , Payne, Rachel
Institution: Western Kentucky University
EPA Project Officer: Harper, Jacquelyn
Phase: I
Project Period: July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 (Extended to June 30, 2025)
Project Amount: $24,971
RFA: 18th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , P3 Awards
Description:
This study is part of a larger research project that investigates enhancing indoor air quality in areas with poor air quality. Each year, according to EPA, radon causes 21,000 lung cancer in the US. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of cancer after smoking. Further, exposure to Radon is considered the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. To reduce this health risk, radon levels must be lowered using Radon mitigation techniques. The study aims at finding the significant impact of building occupant’s daily practices on level of indoor radon in Kentucky. The purpose is to find an alternative mitigation system or measurable guidelines that can be embedded in the building operation and maintenance practices. The researchers will examine the effectiveness of using three building design parameters that haven’t been systematically used for radon mitigation in the past; ventilation, air filtration, and detailing pattern. Environmental agencies consider these three parameters as factors that may affect radon concentration. However, they have never been used directly as a reliable mitigation system for high indoor radon levels.
There are no guidelines that exist to inform the public on how windows, as means of natural ventilation, are used to lower the concentration of radon in a house. Furthermore, there are no guidelines in regard to what is the best type of filtration media that help in reducing radon’s progeny in indoor air in an average house? Do ceiling fans affect the concentration of radon by helping air circulation inside the house? If so, how can we use them, how long and when should we switch the fan on and off?
Approach:
The researcher will select 6 houses with different characteristics divided into three groups. The first group consist of two houses with basements that are located near the downtown of Bowling Green. The second group consists of two houses with slab on grade that are located in Warren County. The last group of houses are in Warren County. They are raised on a crawlspace foundation system. Each pair of houses have similar architectural design and heating/cooling systems. One of each pair of houses will work as a control for the experiment. The second house in each group will experiment natural ventilation daily routine, utilize different types of air filtration, and complete various detailing patterns.
The study will utilize 9 digital monitors. The monitors will be installed in the 6 houses to log data about indoor radon level around the clock for the period of the study. The data includes Radon pCi/L, Temperature °F, Humidity %rH, and Pressure kPa. The purpose is to monitor the level of radon in these houses throughout the cold months in Bowling Green, the season that has the highest levels of natural radon gas. Three digital radon monitors will also measure the level of outdoor radon beside each pair of houses throughout the same period of time. The 3 different mitigation approaches (ventilation, air filtration, and detailing pattern) will be manipulated in the 3 experimental houses while leaving the control group of houses without any interventions. Each scenario will be associated with a percentage of reduction of radon concentration. A T test will be used to analyze the data to measure the significant impact of each scenario on the indoor radon.
Expected Results:
The aim of the study is to develop a comprehensive measurable guideline to mitigate the indoor radon through the alterations of simple operation and maintenance practices. The outcomes of this experiment will develop a new measurable guideline that can mitigate the level of radon concentration in houses using regular maintenance practices. These outcomes will be indicated as percentage of reduction in radon concentration associated with each practice. For instance, the study will show the results and conclusions on how windows can be used as means of natural ventilation in terms of timing and its effectiveness while using ceiling fans and/or heating system. Each scenario will be associated with a percentage of reduction of radon concentration. The outcomes will be validated through repeating the experiment with changing the conditions and design parameters in each scenario of mitigation. At the end, the results will be generalized using T test to define the significant differences between the indoor air qualities of the experimental houses versus the control group.
Pollution Prevention/Control statement
The outcomes of the experiment will help in raising the awareness of the public about the presence of radon gas in homes. Also, it will provide an affordable system of operation and maintenance for enhancing the indoor air quality in areas with high level of radon such Bowling Green Kentucky. In addition, an affordable radon mitigation system will help low-income families who are living in old houses to mitigate their houses at very low cost. Furthermore, the researcher will expand the study to align this research with the efforts run by the Commonwealth of Kentucky regarding radon mitigation. Moreover, the outcomes will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Supplemental Keywords:
Indoor air quality, radon mitigation, low-income living, old homes. Easily implemented radon mitigation, alternative radon mitigationProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.