Radon is one of the elements of the periodic table, and one of the major causes of indoor health problems in the United States and other countries. Radon enters buildings, through the floor, as a gas from the surrounding soil. Radon reduction systems are usually located in basements, near the radon source, and are used to harmlessly ventilate radon-laden air to the outdoors.
Definition
Radon is a product of the "decay chain" of uranium-238. This isotope of uranium occurs naturally in the soil. While its concentration can vary greatly from region to region, it is always measured on a scale of parts-per-million (ppm). As the uranium undergoes natural radioactive decay, it changes, or transmutes, into radium, which then decays into radon.
Features
Radon enters buildings through small pores, holes and cracks in the foundation. From there, it rises into the rest of the structure, though basements often have exceptionally high radon levels because of poor ventilation. Like its "mother elements," radon gas continues in a chain of radioactive decay, but much faster than the preceding isotopes. Every time a radon atom decays into an atom of polonium it releases high-energy particles, as does the polonium just a few minutes later. When these particles strike cells and tissue, they cause damage that can eventually lead to cancer.
Reducing Indoor Radon
Most radon reduction systems work to prevent radon from entering your house in the first place. These systems use a sump-fan, placed in much the same way as an under-floor sump pump, to constantly blow the radon-heavy air underneath your basement out to the atmosphere through a dedicated pipe. In properly functioning systems, these fans produce a constant downward flow of air from inside the house, which travels under the basement floor where it picks up radon gas and is then blown out of the house.
Radon Mitigation System Installation
While radon mitigation systems are usually installed by a professional, there's no reason that a competent do-it-yourselfer can't install one. In either event, become familiar with the installation procedure and principles of system operation. If you do it on your own, you'll need appropriate tools and a keen awareness of safety procedures.
Assessing Performance
Once your radon reduction system is installed, ensure that its performance meets expectations and radon safety guidelines. Basic checks involve periodically checking the outdoor exhaust vent for normal strength and airflow, and making sure all fans or motors are plugged in, operating and sound normal.
Your system should have a vacuum monitor with two columns of an indicator fluid. These two columns' heights should differ substantially from each other.
Check the under-floor suction performance of the system, as well, by using a designated check port, or small holes, in the floor. A lit cigarette or smoke pencil held next to the opening should reveal a strong downward airflow. A weak or absent flow may indicate system problems.
Direct Testing
The surest way to assess a radon reduction system's performance is to directly measure radon levels in the air. The EPA has designated either of two measurements of radon concentration as an "action level." Radiation concentrations of 4 picocuries (pCi) per liter of air, or 150 becquerels (Bq) per cubic meter, are considered unsafe.
If radon concentrations are above or even near these levels after your radon mitigation system has been installed, it may indicate problems with the system, or a need for professional consultation and further mitigation efforts.
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