Chloe Zhang
Radon is an invisible, odourless, and radioactive gas that occurs naturally in rocks, soil, and water. It can enter homes and buildings through small cracks and holes, and prolonged exposure to high levels of radon can lead to severe respiratory issues and lung cancer. To prevent this, radon-resistant construction techniques are employed, such as sealing cracks and using gravel layers to facilitate gas circulation. Vapor barriers, made of plastic sheeting, are also utilized to block the entry of radon and other hazardous gases into living spaces. The effectiveness of these barriers depends on factors such as thickness, material, and proper installation. While 6-mil plastic sheeting is commonly recommended and sufficient in many cases, thicker options or specialized products may be more suitable for certain applications or to ensure long-term durability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | 6-mil plastic can stop radon if it has no holes or rips and is placed under poured concrete. |
| Thickness | 6-mil plastic is the minimum thickness recommended by the EPA and AARST. Thicker plastic is better for long-term ruggedness. |
| Radon-resistant construction | Builders and contractors can use radon-resistant construction techniques, such as ASD systems and vapor barriers, to reduce radon concentrations in homes. |
| Health risks | Radon is an odorless, invisible, radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer if inhaled in high concentrations over time. |
| Mitigation | Radon mitigation systems are available and can be installed in basements or crawl spaces to reduce radon levels. |
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What You'll Learn
Radon-resistant construction techniques
One technique is to use a soil-gas retarder, typically a minimum of 6-mil-thick polyethylene sheeting, beneath concrete floor slabs or to cover exposed ground in crawl spaces. This plastic sheeting is placed on top of a gas-permeable layer, often a 4-inch layer of clean gravel, to prevent soil gas from entering the building. It is important that the plastic sheeting has no holes or rips, as even ordinary 6-mil polyethylene can effectively block radon when intact.
Sealing and caulking are also crucial. All openings, cracks, and crevices in the concrete foundation floor and walls should be sealed with polyurethane caulk to prevent radon and other soil gases from entering the home.
Additionally, a vent pipe can be installed to safely remove radon and other gases from the home. A 3-inch or 4-inch solid PVC Schedule 40 pipe should be run vertically from the gravel layer through the roof, with the pipe labelled as a "Radon System."
These radon-resistant construction techniques are straightforward and do not require special skills or materials. They are an important aspect of creating healthy and safe indoor environments, and builders can often obtain training in these methods from state programs and private service providers.
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Radon mitigation systems
Radon is a hazardous gas that can cause serious respiratory health issues and even loss of life if not controlled. It is a naturally occurring gas that can enter homes from the earth and cause severe problems. Radon mitigation systems are processes or systems used to reduce radon concentrations in buildings. The goal is to reduce indoor radon levels as low as possible, ideally below the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L.
Other radon-resistant construction techniques include Active Soil Depressurization (ASD) systems, which collect radon from beneath the building before it can enter, and vent it outside. The piping may be routed up outside the home but must be at least 10 feet above the ground and away from windows and openings. The fans used in these systems should be located in an unconditioned space like an attic, garage, or outside, and should not be in a living space.
The cost of installing a radon mitigation system can range from $1,500 to $3,000, and financial assistance may be available depending on factors like household income and location. It is important to hire a licensed radon mitigation professional to determine the type of system needed and conduct diagnostic testing to guide the installation process.
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Radon testing
Radon is a harmful, colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that can cause severe respiratory problems and even lead to lung cancer. It is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in rock and soil. As radon is invisible and has no smell or taste, the only way to know if you have high levels of radon in your home is to conduct a radon test.
Short-term radon testing kits measure radon levels in your home for 2 to 90 days, providing quick results. Long-term kits take more than 90 days and will give you the year-round average radon level in your home. The longer the test, the more accurate the results will be. The device must be placed in the basement or lowest level of your home, raised three feet off the ground, and away from the kitchen or bathroom.
If your home has high radon levels, the EPA recommends installing a radon reduction system. Radon-resistant construction techniques, such as ASD systems and vapor barriers, can also be used to decrease the chance of elevated radon concentrations. Vapor barriers made from high-grade virgin polyolefin resin, with a low radon diffusion coefficient, offer better protection than generic plastic products.
It is important to test your home for radon regularly, especially if you live in an area with high levels of radon, such as Colorado, where the CDPHE recommends testing all homes every few years.
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Radon health risks
Radon is an odourless and invisible radioactive gas that can build up in homes and buildings. It is a serious public health problem and the second leading cause of lung cancer, causing about 15,000-21,000 lung cancer deaths per year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), radon causes up to 15% of lung cancers worldwide.
The health risks associated with radon exposure are serious, and even low concentrations of radon can contribute to the occurrence of lung cancers. The risk of lung cancer increases by about 16% per 100 Bq/m3 increase in long-time average radon concentration. The dose-response relation is assumed to be linear, meaning that the risk of lung cancer increases proportionally with increasing radon exposure.
The effects of radon exposure are synergistic with smoking, and smokers are estimated to be 8-25 times more at risk from radon than non-smokers. A smoker exposed to radon has a much higher risk of lung cancer, and the gas can also cause serious consequences for children's health, including asthma attacks, bronchitis, pneumonia, and ear infections.
Radon-resistant construction techniques, such as ASD systems and vapor barriers, can significantly decrease the chance of elevated radon concentrations in homes. The use of a soil-gas retardant, generally a minimum of 6-mil thick polyethylene sheeting, is recommended by the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) and the EPA. This can be placed beneath concrete floor slabs or used to cover exposed ground in crawl spaces.
It is important to note that there is no safe level of radon and reducing radon exposure will always help lower the risk of lung cancer. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends testing homes for radon levels and taking remedial action if levels are 4 pCi/L or higher.
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Radon-resistant materials
Radon is a hazardous gas that occurs naturally in soil and rock and can enter buildings through openings in the foundation floor or walls. It is a leading cause of lung cancer, and long-term exposure to elevated indoor radon levels can increase the risk of developing it.
One radon-resistant technique is to install a gas-tight layer beneath the slab or flooring system to allow soil gases to move freely beneath the home and prevent them from entering the building. This can be done by using a four-inch layer of gravel before laying the slab for the foundation, and then covering that layer with a vapour barrier (plastic or polyethylene sheeting). Ordinary 6-mil polyethylene will stop water vapour and radon, as long as it has no holes or rips. However, a material engineered for lower diffusion, higher resistance to damage, and longevity will maintain a longer life expectancy, making it more cost-effective over the life of the home.
Another technique is to run a 3-inch or 4-inch solid PVC Schedule 40 pipe vertically through the house’s conditioned space and roof to safely vent radon and other soil gases outside above the house. This pipe should be labelled "Radon System".
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Frequently asked questions
Ordinary 6-mil polyethylene will stop radon and water vapour, as long as it has no holes or rips. However, a material engineered for lower diffusion, higher resistance to damage, and longevity will maintain a longer life expectancy.
Radon is an odourless, invisible, and radioactive gas that occurs naturally in rocks, soil, and water. Over time, breathing in high levels of radon can cause lung cancer.
Radon can enter homes through small cracks or holes and build up over time. To prevent this, you can seal openings, cracks, and crevices in the concrete foundation floor and walls with polyurethane caulk. You can also install a vapour barrier, such as a sheet of 6-mil polyethylene, beneath concrete floor slabs or to cover exposed ground in crawl spaces.
