Reducing Radon Levels in Your Home

Mechanisms of Radon Entry

Control of Radon Levels in the Home

• Primary radon source: the soil beneath your home
• Building Materials are minor contributors to radon in the home
• The water supply

• Quick and Easy Reduction

  • air-to-air heat exchangers may reduce radon levels in air tight houses with radon concentrations that are relatively low (<20pCi/L).
  • sub-floor pressure depression systems keep air pressure on the ground levels lower than the air pressure in the basement, however higher heating costs may result.
  • Basement ventilation is helpful if the basement is separate from the rest of the house. Simply installing a fan to introduce outside air can flush out indoor radon and significantly increase the safety of the home.
  • Sealing cracks around pipes and in the foundation substantially reduces radon concentrations. If you home has a crawl space, ventilation of that space is the most effective technique.
  • Radon emissions from building materials can be reduced by coating the materials of with polyester sheeting or an epoxy resin.
  • The EPA's Summary of Reduction Methods (1986)
    • natural and force air ventilation
    • avoiding house depressurization
    • sealing major entry points
    • ventilation of drain tiles, basement walls, and the underlying soil

• More Exhaustive Techniques

• Air Filtration

  Moving air through a mechanical filter designed to intercept particles using a filter matrix can efficiently remove small particles (<0.3 microns in diameter). Unfortunately, radon daughters not attached to the aerosol are not removed by this method.

• Electrostatic air cleaners

  These devices establish an electric field by directing a 12 kilovolt (d.c.) current to an electrode to remove particulate matter from the air. Charged radon daughters in the aerosol will deposit on oppositely charged collection surfaces. Electrostatic cleaners possess a relatively high efficiency for removal of aerosols, however they also create ozone, which is toxic.

• Ion generators

  Similar to electrostatic cleaners, ion generators also produce a charged corona that emits ions that attach to airborne particles. Thesed charge particles then attach to the walls and ceiling. Unfortunately, ion generators also produce ozone.