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EFFECTS OF NATURAL AND FORCED BASEMENT VENTILATION ON RADON LEVELS IN SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS
Citation:
Cavallo, A., K. Gadsby, AND T Reddy. EFFECTS OF NATURAL AND FORCED BASEMENT VENTILATION ON RADON LEVELS IN SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/R-92/102, 1992.
Impact/Purpose:
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Description:
The report gives, for the first time, results of an extensive study of the effect of ventilation on radon concentrations and radon entry rate in a single-family dwelling. Measurements of radon concentrations, building dynamics, and environmental parameters made in Princeton University research houses over several seasons and under different building operating conditions show the functional dependence of radon entry rate on basement depressurization. This work clarifies the role of natural ventilation in reducing indoor radon concentrations. although natural ventilation has always been recommended as a way to reduce indoor radon levels, its erratic behavior has been noted and its efficacy has never been documented. This work shows conclusively that natural ventilation can decrease radon levels two ways: (1) by simple dilution, and (2) although less obvious, by providing a pressure break (defined as any opening in the building shell that reduces the outdoor/indoor differential pressure). This reduces building depressurization and thus the amount of radon- contaminated soil gas that is drawn into the building. The most important results of these experiments show the linear dependence of radon entry rate on basement depressurization and the precise, quantitative comparison between radon entry rates that are possible.