Radon - Testing - Mitigation - Wpb-radon.com

Why view these Radon slides? Protect your family’s healthCopywrite WPB Enterprises Learn how to do a radon test Understand the science Learn about mitigation methods Be informed© WPB slideshow

Introduction to Radon &RadioactivityCopywrite WPB Enterprises© WPB slideshow

A Simple Model of an AtomAn atom is composed of:a Nucleus in the Center of the AtomCopywrite WPB Enterpriseswhich is composed of:Protons andElectronsNeutronsOrbiting around the Nucleus are:The positive charge of the protonsholds the negatively chargedelectrons in orbitIf the nucleus was the size of a baseball, the electrons, the size ofa dust particle, would be a hundred yards to a mile away !!© WPB slideshow

Penetrating Power ofAlpha - Beta – GammaAlphaCopywrite WPB EnterprisesBetaGammaPaperBookAn alpha particle is 20 times more damagingBut it travels the least distance (only a few inches)Concrete© WPB slideshow

Radioactive Elements are identified by:the Energygiven offorthe Decay Rate( Half Life )1half life2half lifesCopywrite WPB Enterprises3half lifes4half lifes50 % 25 % 12.5 % 6.3 %remaining remaining remaining remainingHalf life is the amount of time required forhalf the element to decay.© WPB slideshow

Half of the Uranium 238 has decayed awaysince the earth was formed 4 billion years agoUranium 238 (4 Billion yrs)Radium 226 (1620 yrs)Radon 222 (3.8 days)The half life ofeach elementis listed inthe bracketsRadon Decay ProductsCopywrite WPB EnterprisesPolonium 218 (3 min)Polonium 214 ( u sec)Bismuth 214 (20 min)Lead 210 (20 yrs)© WPB slideshowThe atomic mass (number of protons and neutrons) is listed after the element’s name

Radon is measured in pCi/L unitsPico is a TrillionthCurie comes from Madame CurieCopywrite WPB EnterprisesMadame Curie discovereda gram of radium produce37 billion decays per secondOne PicoCurie or a trillionthof a curie equals2.22 decays per minuteA one liter jarwith 4 pCi/L has:10radondecaysperminute© WPB slideshow

Characteristics of Short LivedRadon Decay Products (RDPs)Polonium 218 (3 min)Polonium 214 ( u sec)Copywrite WPB EnterprisesLead 214 (27 min)Bismuth 214 (20 min)They are sticky particlesTwo Polonium’s emit Alpha Particles20 times more dangerous than RadonMeasured in units of WL (working level)© WPB slideshow

Radon Decay Products released fromthe decay of Radon are measuredin units of WLSome RDPs escapeto the outsideCopywrite WPB Enterprises0.01 WL0.02 WL0.04 WL0.01 WLAbout ½ the RDPsremain in the airSome RDPs stickto objectsin the room4.0 pCi/L4.0 pCi/l produces about 0.02 WL in the air© WPB slideshow

Health Affectsfrom Radon & Radon DecayCopywrite WPB EnterprisesProducts© WPB slideshow

History of Radon1400’sUnderground miners were dyingfrom an unknown lung disease18791950’s19841999Copywrite WPB EnterprisesLung Cancer first identifiedin European minersConnection made betweenLung Cancer and RDPsExtremely high radon foundin Pennsylvania home (2700 pCi/L)BEIR VI says about 18,500 Americansdie each year from exposure to radon© WPB slideshow

The Radon Decay Products (RDP’s(RDP’s) ) produced byradon are the primary health risk?UnattachedMost dangerousRadonRDPsAttachedto AerosolsMost exposurelowriskhighriskCopywrite WPB EnterprisesAttached tosolid objectsNo risk© WPB slideshow

Alpha emissions from Radon andRadon Decay Products damage Lung CellsAn alphaparticlestriking thecell cancause freeradicalsto beformedin thecellfluidH 2 OOH - H +Copywrite WPB EnterprisesDouble strandDNA can be split byan alpha particleA Lung Cellstruck by analpha particlewill:DieHeal itselfororbecome Cancerous© WPB slideshow

This is a micro-scope view of plastic that hasbeen struck multiple times by alpha particlesfrom radon and radon decay productsCopywrite WPB EnterprisesThis kind ofdamage iswhat yourlungs receivefrom exposure toradonandradon decay productsPhoto by Dr. Jim Burkhart© WPB slideshow

Radon risk is best determined byactual people studiesMiner StudiesScientists believe the miner studies provide the bestdetermination of radon risk because of the number of minersexposed to radon even though miners are mostly malesmokers exposed to other pollutantsCopywrite WPB EnterprisesCase Control StudiesThis is the best type of study but expensive because it requiresa large carefully sampled group of lung cancer patientsand a similar group who do not have lung cancerGeographic StudiesStudying the lung cancer rate by area is not considered a good study© WPB slideshow

1988 BEIR IV study of 22,190miners with 360 Lung CancersLifetimeaveragepCi/LExpectedlungcancerObservedlungcancerCopywrite WPB EnterprisesRelativeincrease0 17 21 No change1-2 39 46 No change2-5 19 41 Double5-10 13 40 Triple10-20 11 39 3.5 times36-96 15 66 Four times96-200 5 45 Nine timesNotice that lung cancer rates doubled when miners wereexposed to the equivalent of 2 to 5 pCi/l over a lifetime© WPB slideshow

‘94 Swedish Case Control Study1360 Swedes with lung cancer.2847 Swedes without lung cancerCopywrite WPB EnterprisesAveraged 27 years of Lived-in Radon measurementsLess than 4 pCi/L average = no excess lung cancer4 to 10 pCi/L average = 30% increased lung cancerGreater than 10 pCi/L average = 80% increased lung cancerSleeping with windows open = no excess lung cancer© WPB slideshow

Lung Cancer is the leading cause of Cancer deaths164,000 new cases of Lung Cancer in 2000.There has been a dramatic increase of Lung Cancer in WomanLung Cancer symptoms are so general that 75% of the timeit has spread to other organs by the time it is detectedOnly 15% of lung cancer victims survive 5 yearsCopywrite WPB EnterprisesRadon causes Lung Cancer for 16,000 smokersand 2500 non-smokers per year.Radon is responsible for 22% of non-smoker lung cancer2 nd hand Smoke causes 3000 deaths/yr and Asbestos 2000/yr26% of the population smokes - 90% would like to quit but can’t© WPB slideshow

Carcinogen RatingsClass A( demonstrated cancer causing ) asbestostobacco smoke, benzene, RADONCopywrite WPB EnterprisesClass B( probable cancer causing ) DDT,alar, PCB, chewing tobacco, cholesterolClass C ( limited animal evidence )Class D ( inadequate evidence )saccharin© WPB slideshow

There are Four Factors necessary fora “Class“A” carcinogen rating andRadon has all of themCopywrite WPB EnterprisesPhysical Model of how it happens(alpha damage to lung cells)Animal studies showing an effect(animals exposed to radon had a higher rate of lung cancer)Occupational or Residential studies(miner studies and case control studies show a connection)Opportunities for exposure(more time spent indoors with house sealed up)© WPB slideshow

EPA has calculated how many manypeople would die of lung cancer if:Number ofpeople whowould die oflung cancerif a 1000of themwere exposedto theseamounts ofradon120100806040200Copywrite WPB Enterprisesfor a lifetime 1.3 2 4 8 20© WPB slideshowNon-Smoker’s riskSmoker’s risk260 die outof 1000pCi/lAverage radon concentration over a lifetime

Comparison to other causes of Death2500020000BEIR VI says radon may cause 23% ofall non-smokers lung cancersCopywrite WPB Enterprises1500010000non-smokerssmokers50000DrunkdrivingRadon DrowningFires Airline crashes© WPB slideshow

Comparison of estimated deaths annually per100,000 persons for different causesHeart Attack20 pCi/L in HomeMotor Vehicle Accident4 pCi/L in HomeAll Accidents in HomeMurderSuicideAll Occupational Hazards1.3 pCi/L in HomeDrowningsPoisonsFirearms AccidentsCopywrite WPB Enterprises0 50 100 150 200 250 300Jacobsen, c1990, University of Michigan© WPB slideshow

Radon exposure is based on an averageindoor exposure of 1.3 pCi/LSources of Radiation Exposure tothe U.S. PopulationCopywrite WPB EnterprisesRadon55%Cosmic8%Terrestrial8%Medical X-Rays11%Other1%Internal11%Nuclear Medicine4%Consumer Products3%Radon is by farthe greatestsingle source ofradiation to thegeneral public.© WPB slideshow

These Organizations considerRadon to be DangerousAmerican Lung AssociationCopywrite WPB EnterprisesAmerican Medical AssociationEnvironmental Protection AgencyNational Academy of SciencesUS. Surgeon GeneralAmerican Cancer Society© WPB slideshow

EPA and Surgeon Generalrecommend that everyonetest their home for radonCopywrite WPB EnterprisesandIf your homeis above 4 pCi/L,Fix It© WPB slideshow

Radon Entry &BehaviorAverage outdoorradon in the US isabout 0.4 pCi/LCopywrite WPB EnterprisesRadonRadiumWhat causesradon to vary invacant & occupied housesUraniumAverage indoorradon in the US isabout 1.3 pCi/L© WPB slideshow

Radon gets into our homesin several waysCopywrite WPB EnterprisesWater< 1%Emanation2 - 5 %Soil gas85 - 97 %Diffusion1- 4 %Radium in the Soil© WPB slideshow

Warm air escapes out the top of our homes inthe heating season (stack effect)vent-a-ridgeCopywrite WPB EnterprisesRisingHeatedAiropeningsroof ventilatorPositivehousepressureThe escapingwarm air createsnegative housepressure in thelowest level ofthe houseCanalDrainSumpGas waterheaterPositivesoil pressureNegativehousepressureThe negative housepressure draws inradon laden soil gas© WPB slideshow

A drafty house can still have radonDrafty houses canhave strongNegative Pressurewhich inducessoil gas entry aswell as outdoor airOutdoorairCopywrite WPB EnterprisesNegativehousepressureSoil GasThere is no correlation between house age orhouse ventilation levels and radon levels© WPB slideshow

Indoor Radon Levelsdepend on these factors:Copywrite WPB EnterprisesBuildingVentilation RateBuilding to Soilpressure difference-+Radon Strength in the SoilFoundation openingsinto the SoilSoil Porosity© WPB slideshow

There can be large variationsin radon levels in the soilDoes my househaveRadon ?66812,664111112351Copywrite WPB Enterprises77,19489,100These were actualradon levelsmeasured in thesoil around a homein NJ© WPB slideshow

Houses act likeSoil Vacuum Cleanersvent-a-ridgeroof ventilatorWarm airescapes out thetop of the houseMechanicalequipmentexhausts airTight wallskeepspollutantsinsiderisingheatedairCopywrite WPB Enterprisesbath roomfandown draftrange exhaustcentral vacuumMost houseshave nomechanicaloutdoor airsupplydryergas waterheaterWaterproofedfoundationsumpcanal drain© WPB slideshow

Common household appliances cancause negative pressures inside a homeTypical exhaustAir tight wood stove30 cfmCopywrite WPB EnterprisesCombustion ApplianceBathroom FanClothes DryerWood Fireplace20 – 70 cfm25 – 90 cfm100 cfm170 cfmDowndraft range exhaust 300 – 400 cfmcfm is airflow in cubic feet per minute© WPB slideshow

Strong wind can affect the radon levelsUpwindDownwindCopywrite WPB EnterprisesPositivehousepressureNegativehousepressure© WPB slideshow

Heavy rain may also affect radon levelsLight rain haslittle effectCopywrite WPB EnterprisesDropping barometric pressurecan sometimes cause a shortupward radon spikeExtended rain can block soil pathwaysand reduce indoor radon levelsHeavy rain maycause a short upwardradon spike© WPB slideshow

Radon Levels are typically higherduring the heating seasonsCopywrite WPB EnterprisesRnRnRnRnSome houses have higher basement levels in the summer© WPB slideshow

First floor tends to have 2 times to 6 timeslower radon levels than the basement765432JanMarchMayJulyCopywrite WPB EnterprisesSeptNovThis data isbased onmulti-levelradon testsdone in 871Pennsylvaniahomes10In the Summer the 1 st floor is 4 to 6 times lower than the basementIn the Winter the 1 st floor is 2 to 3 times lower than the basementThe difference between floors is greater during the summer© WPB slideshow

Radon levels fluctuate Hour by HourUsually radon levels are higher at night and lower during the day12pCi/L1086This graphdepicts commonDiurnal VariationCopywrite WPB Enterprises420Noon Noon NoonDaily radon variation is usually greater in the summer© WPB slideshow

Radon Measuring DevicesCopywrite WPB Enterprises© WPB slideshow

Two generic types of test devicesContinuous RadonMonitor or CRMPassive DetectorCopywrite WPB Enterprises16.5 pCi/LCRM provides:radon levels hour by hour&tamper resistant featuresBoth methods can be accuratePassive detectors:provide only asingle average result&are less expensive© WPB slideshow

Four Types ofPassive Detectors Open Face Charcoal( 2 - 4 day exposure ) Diffusion Barrier Charcoal( 3 - 7 day exposure)Copywrite WPB Enterprises Electret Ion Chamber( 2 - 7 days or 90 - 365 days exposure)Alpha Track Detector( 90 - 365 day exposure )© WPB slideshow

RadonCharcoal DetectorsOpen FaceH 2 OActivated CarbonRadonRadonDiffusionRadonCopywrite WPB EnterprisesExpose2 to 4daysExpose3 to 7daysLab measures gamma from decay of RDP’sDetector must be returned to the lab promptly© WPB slideshow

Charcoal Detector characteristicsEasy to useLeast expensiveCopywrite WPB EnterprisesLong shelf lifeLab analyzes the resultsHas reasonable accuracyMust expose a specific amount of timeOpen Face are sensitive to high humidity© WPB slideshow

Electret Ion Chamber (EIC) characteristicsRadon--RDPs+--+ + +Copywrite WPB Enterprises-Radon-The decay of Radon &Radon Decay Productsinside the chamber causesionization. This causes theelectret to lose voltsElectret voltage is readbefore & afterexposure to determinethe radon levelsElectret© WPB slideshow

Electret Ion Chamber (EIC) characteristicsEIC’s have demonstrate good accuracybut it’s always best to expose DuplicatesCopywrite WPB EnterprisesEIC’s are more tamper resistant than charcoal detectorsCan vary exposure from 2 to 365 daysdepending on chamber size & electretThe testing company analyzes the result.© WPB slideshow

Alpha Track DetectorsRadon entryAlpha particles fromdecay of Radon and RDP’sdamage the plastic chipCopywrite WPB EnterprisesRadonRDP’sMarks are enhanced atthe laboratory andcounted to determinethe average radonlevel© WPB slideshow

Alpha Track characteristicsAlpha Tracks can measure the averageradon levels over 90 to 365 daysCopywrite WPB EnterprisesThey are not affected by the testingenvironmentCannot be used for short term tests© WPB slideshow

Continuous Radon Monitors (CRMs)16.5 pCi/LCRMs recordhour by hour radonvariation by countingalpha emissionsfrom Radon orRadon & RDPsCopywrite WPB EnterprisesSome CRMs can also monitor hourly temperature,barometric pressure, motion, humidity etc.© WPB slideshow

Are CRMs the best choicefor Real Estate testing ?Copywrite WPB EnterprisesCRM’s can have Tamper Resistant featuresCRM’s have demonstrated excellent accuracyCRM’s can indicate the impact ofweather on test results© WPB slideshow

What are Remote calculated CRM’s ?A tester leasesa CRM froman Equipment SupplierCopywrite WPB EnterprisesThe tester modems the CRM data tothe equipment supplier who faxesresults back to the Tester’s office© WPB slideshow

Grab Samples & Sniffer tests Grab samples and sniffer testsare used primarily by mitigatorsto diagnose radon entryCopywrite WPB Enterprises These are diagnosticmeasurements that cannot beused to determine the need formitigation© WPB slideshow

Continuous Working Level MonitorsFilter(CWM)Copywrite WPB EnterprisesRDP’sCWM’s measurealpha decays fromRDPs collectedon a filterPump tubingCWM only measure radon decay products (WL) not Radon (pCi/L)CWM’s can measure very low concentrations© WPB slideshow

How can youdetermine a Tester’squalifications ?Copywrite WPB EnterprisesIs Tester state certified ?In non-certifying states they shouldbe NEHA or NRSB listedwww.radongas.org & www.nrsb.orgDoes Tester use tamper resistant features?Does Tester obtain a signed“Non-interference Agreement”?© WPB slideshow

You can alwaystest your ownhomeCopywrite WPB EnterprisesYou can purchase charcoal detectors or long termalpha tracks via the internet, calling a supplier orfrom a local hardware or building supply storeJust follow the instructions. After exposing thedetectors, promptly mail them back to thelaboratory© WPB slideshow

Measuring RadonCopywrite WPB EnterprisesThe EPA specifiesthe followingTesting Conditionsbe followed© WPB slideshow

Short-term term measurementsrequireClosed House Conditionsfor12 hours prior to the start of the testand all during the testCopywrite WPB Enterprises Fireplace damper closed Window air conditioners set to recycle only All windows & doors closed except for normalentry and exit Attic fans are OK but don’t use window orwhole house fans© WPB slideshow

Minimum test period is 2 daysShort Term test is 2 - 7 dayswith closed house conditionsCopywrite WPB Enterpriseswhile aLong Term test is 3 to 12 months& does not require Closed House conditions94% of the time Short Term tests provide thesame mitigation decision as a Long Term test© WPB slideshow

Consider Retesting if : Test conditions were not maintainedCopywrite WPB Enterprises Extended heavy Rain or Winds speeds greaterthan 25 mph for longer than an hour (a SevereStorm ) One test result is less than 4 pCi/L and the other isgreater and the greater is twice the level of thelesser result( Duplicate results of 2.5 pCi/L & 6.0 pCi/L )© WPB slideshow

What rooms should be Tested ?Copywrite WPB EnterprisesConsider testing otherliving areas, especiallyover other foundation typesMinimum onetest in lowestLived-in areaFor Real Estate transactions test the Lowest Livable Area© WPB slideshow

What does“Lowest Livable” mean ?• Lowest area of the home that could be used as aplayroom, family room, workshop or office withoutneeding major structural change such as a concretefloor or more headroom.Copywrite WPB Enterprises• If a basement only needs a carpet for children toplay in, it is considered Livable• A small furnace room is not Livable© WPB slideshow

Do NOT test:Closets, Bathrooms,Kitchens, Storerooms, Garages,Crawl Spaces, or AtticsCopywrite WPB EnterprisesYou can test:Bedrooms, Family Rooms,Living Rooms, Dining Rooms,Office, Study, Playroom, or Workshop© WPB slideshow

How far must a Detector befrom windows & doors ?At Least:Copywrite WPB Enterprises1’ fromexterior walls3’ from an exterioroperable opening20” Off Floor4” Clearance fromother objects© WPB slideshow

Consider exposing two detectorsat the same time. (Duplicates) Duplicate radon results will vary. Duplicateresults greater than 4 pCi/L should be within 10%to 30% of each otherCopywrite WPB Enterprises If duplicates have a greater variation than this,contact the Tester or the laboratory The lower the radon levels, the greater thepercentage variation between duplicate results© WPB slideshow

Commercial BuildingsEPA has not defined workplace radon levels.Copywrite WPB Enterprises4 pCi/L action level is typically usedUse School Testing protocols for commercial buildingsRadon fix typically involves HVAC equipmentMitigators need commercial experience© WPB slideshow

School Testing Protocols Test all rooms in contact with the soil Test the whole building at the same time Test during occupied days (work week) Maintain closed building conditionsCopywrite WPB Enterprises HVAC should be operating normally© WPB slideshow

Copywrite WPB EnterprisesRadon Mitigation© WPB slideshow

Four Mitigation MethodsCreating negativepressure in the soil is thepreferred methodCopywrite WPB EnterprisesVentilate it OutCreate positivepressure above Soil+Seal all openingsinto the SoilCreate negative pressure in the Soil© WPB slideshow

Sealing an open sump pit will usually notreduce Radon Levels ?One research project found it only tookthe equivalent of ten feet of a 1/16” crackin the basement floor to maintainradon levels above the GuidelineCopywrite WPB EnterprisesA 1/16” crack looks like a 100mile cavern to a radon atom© WPB slideshow

Can Radon Sealingcause a water problem?Copywrite WPB EnterprisesA properly installed radonsystem should not cause awater problem nor will ittypically fix a wetbasement.Caution:Floodingduringheavyrains© WPB slideshow

Active Soil Depressurization (ASD)SlabfoundationRadon fanCopywrite WPB EnterprisesRadon pipingCrawlspaceAir is pulledfrom undereach slab andfrom under acrawl spacemembraneRadonsuctionpitSub-slabdepressurization under concrete slabsSub-membranedepressurizationin this dirt floorcrawl space© WPB slideshow

Where must the Radon Fanbe located?Good locationNot OKOutsideHouse AtticGarage AtticCopywrite WPB EnterprisesBasementCrawl SpacesBelow grade© WPB slideshow

Radon Exhaust RequirementsRadon Exhaust must be:Copywrite WPB Enterprisesabove the edge of roof2’ higher thanwindows within 10’Minimum 10’ offthe groundRadon fan© WPB slideshow

The wall between garage and house is typicallya Firewall and needs fire protectionCopywrite WPB EnterprisesFan in AtticGarageFiredampersBasement© WPB slideshow

Fan powered radon systems must have avacuum gauge or other indicatorIf oil is level,system is off or stoppedCopywrite WPB EnterprisesThe difference in oillevels indicates thestrength of thevacuum in the systemNote:Vacuum gauge does notindicate Radon Levels© WPB slideshow

Radon System must have a LabelRadon Reduction SystemInstaller’s:Copywrite WPB EnterprisesNamePhone NumberCertification id #EPA recommendsRe-testing every 2 YearsThere should be an information packageattached to the radon pipe© WPB slideshow

Gas appliances require aBackdraft TestCheck backdraft afterradon systemis runningDuring backdraft test:Keep windows closed &Air Handler runningCopywrite WPB EnterprisesDryerRun other houseexhaust fansGas waterheaterCheck chimney draft on allgas appliances on start-up© WPB slideshow

Post Mitigation Testing Do a Short-term test within 30 daysCopywrite WPB Enterprises Wait 24 hours before starting the test Place short term test in the previous test location An independent re-test is Best© WPB slideshow

How do you know if aMitigator is qualified ?Mitigator must be Certified by the Stateor in non certifying states he should be listedwith NEHA or NRSBCopywrite WPB Enterpriseswww.radongas.org & www.nrsb.orgDoes the Mitigator have referrals ?Will the Mitigator be in business and providegood service over the length of their warranty ?© WPB slideshow

Radon in WaterCopywrite WPB EnterprisesIssues to befamiliar with© WPB slideshow

EPA states in the“Home Buyers & SellersGuide to Radon”:Copywrite WPB Enterprises“If you have tested the air inyour home and found a radonproblem, and your water comesfrom a well, have the water tested.”© WPB slideshow

Radon comes out ofthe water when you:Copywrite WPB Enterprises Expose the water to air- Taking a shower Agitate the water- Doing the laundry Heat the Water- Using the Dishwasher© WPB slideshow

It takes a lot of radon in the water toraise the radon levels in the air?If radon in water is 10,000 pCi/L then:Copywrite WPB EnterprisesA 10 minuteshowerwill raisebathroomto about30 pCi/LAverage water use in anaverage size housewill raise the overallradon average 1 pCi/L© WPB slideshow

Radon in Water Health RiskPrimary Risk is the increasedradon in the air from water usageCopywrite WPB Enterprises10,000 pCi/L in the water raisesthe average radon in air about 1 pCi/LThere is a small risk of stomach & othercancers from ingestion of water with radon© WPB slideshow

There are no Federal GuidelinesStatesEPACopywrite WPB EnterprisesEPA has suggested two options:An MCL of 300 pCi/L oran AMCL of 4000 pCi/L if the state hasa Multi-media radon in Air Program© WPB slideshow

Percentage of Pennsylvaniacommunity wells that would not pass a3000 pCi/L standardCommunitiesw/groundwatersystems25to499people500to3299peopleCopywrite WPB Enterprises3300to10,000peoplemorethan10,000people# in PA 1,336 362 65 41percentageabove3000 pCi/L7 % 4 % 4 % 5 %© WPB slideshow

Testing theRadon in Water• Order radon in water test kits over the internetCopywrite WPB Enterprises• A water sample is collected from fresh coldtap water & shipped to analysis laboratory• A certified tester can also provide this test fora cost similar to testing the radon in the air© WPB slideshow

Radon in Water can bereduced with:• Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)5’ tall tank(s) filter the waterCost about $900 - $1,500Copywrite WPB Enterprises• Aeration SystemRadon is bubbled out of the waterCost about $3,500 - $4,500© WPB slideshow

Concerns about usingGranular Activated Carbon Other contaminants can reduce systemperformanceCopywrite WPB Enterprises GAC can emanate gamma if radon in water isvery high GAC should only be used for levels below20,000 pCi/L Carbon needs to be replaced every 1 - 5 years© WPB slideshow

Some Aeration concerns System must discharge above roofCopywrite WPB Enterprises System needs cleaning at least once per year Can have Bacteria growth during non-use periods Radon removal, however, is excellent© WPB slideshow

New Constructionand RadonCopywrite WPB EnterprisesMake it easyto fixor Justinstall theWholeSystemPrevent Entry© WPB slideshow

Should land be testedbefore construction ?The soil can be tested but it is notcommonly doneCopywrite WPB EnterprisesA strong radon source from the soilcould be easily missedIt is better to use the cost of preconstructionsoil testing for radonresistant features© WPB slideshow

EPA has definedRadon Zones• Zone 1 - expect 4.0 pCi/L or greaterCopywrite WPB Enterprises• Zone 2 - expect 2.0 to 4.0 pCi/L• Zone 3 - expect 2.0 pCi/L or less© WPB slideshow

Copywrite WPB EnterprisesFor more detailed state maps go to: www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/zonemap.html© WPB slideshow

Recommendations for Zone 13” or 4” Passive vent to roofLeave adequate roomfor fan installationCopywrite WPB EnterprisesTreat allslabsHave attic wiring for the fanSeal the Sump pitProvideCombustionmake-up airDo not install channel drainsRun perforated pipingunder all slabsMinimize concretecracks & openings© WPB slideshow

Copywrite WPB Enterprises© WPB slideshow