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Case Study of Radon Diagnostics and Mitigation in a New York State School
Author(s) -
Leovic Kelly W.,
Harris D. Bruce,
Clarkin Mike,
Brennan Terry
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
indoor air
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.387
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 1600-0668
pISSN - 0905-6947
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0668.1991.00017.x
Subject(s) - radon , basement , environmental science , indoor air quality , hvac , slab , suction , environmental engineering , air conditioning , engineering , civil engineering , meteorology , geography , mechanical engineering , physics , structural engineering , quantum mechanics
Abstract This is a case study of the radon diagnostics and mitigation performed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Office of Research and Development in a New York State school building. Research focused on active subslab depressurization (ASD) in the basement and, to a lesser degree, the potential for radon reduction in the basement and slab‐on‐grade sections using the heating, ventilating, and air‐conditioning (HVAC) system. Based on radon diagnostic measurements in the basement, a five‐point ASD system was installed, and recommendations were made to increase the outdoor air supply through the basement unit ventilator. Because of the high radon levels in the basement (1720 bequerels per cubic meter, Bq m −3 ) and limited subslab pressure field extension, both mitigation approaches were needed to reduce radon to below the current EPA guideline of 148 Bq m −3 . The effects of excavating a suction pit under each of the five suction points were also investigated. Pit excavation, together with adjustment of the airflows at the suction points, decreased average radon levels in the basement by an additional 40 percent. In the slab‐on‐grade section, it was recommended that the school hire a HVAC contractor to evaluate the unit ventilators for increased outdoor air supply. This was recommended both to improve indoor air quality and because diagnostic measurements indicated that an ASD system would require an excessive number of suction points in the slab‐on‐grade classroom.