Grantee Research Project Results
Reduction of Indoor Air Pollution by Membrane Stripping of Waterborne Radon Gas
EPA Contract Number: 68D10069Title: Reduction of Indoor Air Pollution by Membrane Stripping of Waterborne Radon Gas
Investigators: Matson, Stephen L.
Small Business: Arete Technologies
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 1991 through September 1, 1995
Project Amount: $149,951
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (1991) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Radon-222 in indoor air has been identified as a perva- sive pollutant and a significant health threat, and release of this volatile gas from water supplies containing elevated radon levels represents a significant source of exposure. The EPA will propose a stringent Maximum Contaminant Level for water-borne radon of 3OOpCi/L in mid-1991, consistent with the statement of agency personnel that water-borne radon may be responsible for more cancer deaths than all other drinking water contaminants com- bined.
In Phase I, Arete Technologies, Inc., established the technical and economic feasibility of using a gas/liquid contactor based on hollow-fiber membranes to strip radon from water with ambient air. The technology has significant benefits relative to the conventional approaches for water- borne radon mitigation, namely carbon adsorption and dif- fused-bubble or shallow-tray aeration.
In the Phase II program, Arete Technologies, Inc., seeks to further improve membrane, module, and system perfor- mance. Extended field tests will be conducted at multiple sites to assess potential operational issues, and a prototype membrane stripping system will be designed, constructed, and operated to remove water-borne radon from a house- hold water supply.
Supplemental Keywords:
RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Sustainable Industry/Business, Chemical Engineering, air toxics, Sustainable Environment, Environmental Chemistry, Chemistry, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, indoor air, Chemistry and Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Agricultural Engineering, waterborne radon gas , ambient air quality, emission control strategies, radon reduction, waterborne radon gas, membrane organic vapor recovery system, membrane technology , membranes, emissions control, radon, mitigation strategies, membrane stripping, radon mitigation, radon removal system, indoor air quality, membrane technology, atmospheric chemistryProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase I:
Reduction of Indoor Air Pollution by Membrane Stripping of Waterborne Radon GasThe 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.