radon

This guide is divided into four sections, which draw together different areas of BRE radon-related research. It supplements existing guidance. Sump systems are usually very effective at reducing indoor radon levels. The first part of the guide describes the benefits of passive sump systems, ie systems that are not fan-assisted. The second part shows how a single fan-assisted system can be used to treat several adjoining houses. Compared to installing several separate systems, a communal system of this type is quicker and cheaper to install and causes less disruption.

There are two main soil gases of current concern to human health. These are radon, which is a carcinogen, and landfill gas, which is explosive and toxic. Both can be found at significant levels in the soil below buildings in certain locations in the country. It is a responsibility of the Building Research Establishment to find cost effective ways to protect new and existing buildings from the entry of these gases into buildings.

Detailed radon measurements and ventilation testing were carried out in five residential premises in Hong Kong. Continuous radon detectors were located in the bedrooms of each site and corresponding C02 decay tests were conducted to estimate the ventilation rate. Four air-conditioning operation modes were used in the measurements. Data obtained from the measurements were used to verify the validity of a simple mass balance model.

This paper describes radon diagnostics and mitigation in a school the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified "difficult to mitigate." The school had subslab utility tunnels that served as the outside air and return air mixing chamber for the heating and ventilation system. The heating and ventilation system depressurized the tunnel, sucked radon from the soil, and distributed it to school rooms. Extensive diagnostics were conducted to test mitigation options and to provide mitigation design parameters.

This paper involves assessing radon concentrations at the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HV AC) environment of Hong Kong University of Science of Technology (HKUST). Ninety rooms with various configurations were selected at random and evaluated in detail. A time-integrated active sampling instrument as well as a passive activated charcoal canister radon detection system were used for the study. With the central HV AC system in the normal operating mode, data on location characteristics, as well as average and peak radon concentrations were collected and analysed.