Power Point about how to detect and reduce radon air pollution.

1. Matt Smelt
Colby Yanagi
Simrat Singh
Spencer Miller

2.  Radon is cancer causing radioactive gas
 Radon comes from the radio active decay
of uranium in soil.
 Can be found in anywhere within the U.S
because it is found in soil, rock and water.
 Radon is colorless, odorless, and
tasteless.

3.  Radon can get in through:
• Cracks in the foundation
• Construction Joints
• Cracks in walls
• Gaps in Suspended floors
• Gaps around pipes
• Cavities inside walls
• Water supply

4.  Radon gas can cause many diseases
• Cancer
• Emphysema
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Chronic interstitial pneumonia
• Respiratory lesions
 Alsoindirectly can relate to silicosis
through weakening of the immune system
with prolonged exposure

5.  Radon enters soil from uranium
decay, uranium and phosphate mines, and
also coal combustion
 Radon’s half life is less than four days
limiting its effects
 Aquatic effects are unknown but it is
dangerous if it enters tap water
 In outdoor air it is almost harmless and will
dissipate within a week

6.  Short term testing
• Quickest way to test
• 2 to 3 days
• Provides radon levels from day to day
 Long term test
• More than 90 days
• Provide year round radon levels

7.  Close windows and outside doors
 Do not operate fans or other machines that
bring in air from outside (recirculation is
acceptable)
 Doors and windows should be closed 12
hours before testing
 Put test kit in the lowest level floor/room
 Room should be regularly used

8.  Place test 20 inches above the floor where
it will not be disturbed
 Seal the package and send it to the
specified location for testing

9.  Testing short term radon very easy
 We bought one test kit and all you need to do
is open the detectors and place them 6
inches apart in a specified room.
 This test kit was purchased at Home Depot
for only $10.00
 Sending in results does cost $30.00

10.  The EPA recommends that a qualified
contractor inspects the home after results
of test show it is needed.
• Using the wrong equipment or knowledge can
create different or worse problems.
 Contractors
will inspect the home and
choose reduce radon levels

11.  Active Subslab Suction
• Suction pipes are inserted into the soil or crushed rock through the floor slab. Gas
is then sucked from beneath the house with fans and ejected out of the house
through pipes
 Passive Subslab Suction
• Same as active, but instead of a fan, it uses air currents or pressure to push gas
away
 Drain Tiles or Perforated Pipes
• Used to reduce water that has mixed with radon by draining it away from the
house
 Block-Wall suction
• Requires hollow block foundation walls
• Depressurized the block wall and remove radon