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Radon-Resistant Construction For New Homes

Radon-Resistant Construction For New Homes. Radon. Radium. Uranium. What Is Radon?. Radon is a gas It is naturally occurring. It is inert and cannot be seen or smelled. It enters buildings from the soil beneath them. Radon Decay Products. Radon. Radon. Why Is Radon a Concern?.

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Radon-Resistant Construction For New Homes

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  1. Radon-Resistant ConstructionFor New Homes

  2. Radon Radium Uranium What Is Radon? • Radon is a gas • It is naturally occurring. • It is inert and cannot be seen or smelled. • It enters buildings from the soil beneath them.

  3. Radon Decay Products Radon Radon Why Is Radon a Concern? • Radon decays into radioactive particles known as radon decay products. • These particles are easily inhaled and deposited in the lungs where they can damage sensitive lung tissue.

  4. Plastic chip from passive radon test (alpha track). Magnified only 100 times. 3 months at EPA Action Level of 4 pCi/L. Alpha Particles Are Strong Enough To Pit Plastic Photo by Dr. J.F. Burkhart

  5. Radon Induced Lung Cancer • Risk increased by both duration & concentration of exposure • One dart at a time for a long time, or handfuls of darts over a short time

  6. National Research CouncilBEIR VI: February 19, 1998 • “Radon is one of the most extensively investigated human carcinogens.” • Radon is a “...public-health problem and makes indoor radon the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking.” • “…indoor radon should be considered as a cause of lung cancer in the general population that is amenable to reduction.”

  7. How Radon Compares To Other Causes Of Death Upper estimate Lower estimate Drunk Driving Drownings Fires/Burns Radon Air Transportation Source: U.S. EPA’s Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide (Radon: National Academy of Sciences, Non-radon: National Safety Council)

  8. How Is Radon Drawn Into A Building? • Vacuums created by: • Exhaust systems • Thermal stack effects

  9. Basic Components of Passive System Junction Boxes (to power fan and warning device, if needed) Vent pipe running between sub-slab gravel and roof Sealing and caulking Polyethylene soil-gas retarder between slab and gravel Large gravel beneath slab

  10. Suction point is under plastic sheet placed over exposed soil or rock Radon is collected and exhausted outdoors Seams and edges are sealed Passive System Concept for Crawl Spaces Discharge Attic Depressurization Piping System Plastic Sheet

  11. Why Not Wait Until Home Is Finished? • You can incorporate features that can eliminate need for fan. • Sub-grade can be made more permeable during construction. • Routing pipe through warm chases can create natural stack effect. • Vent can be hidden in chases to improve looks.

  12. City Response to Radon • INFORMATION: Encourage radon testing, mitigation • INCENTIVE: Test kit sales • ORDINANCES: • Radon information at point of sale • Building Code rules and inspector certification for voluntary RRNC

  13. Next Step: Require RRNC? • Air Quality Action Plan: consider RRNC ordinance • City Council: bring RRNC ordinance for a vote as part of Building Code update

  14. Process timeline • Public outreach: February-March • City Council Study Session: May 13 • Building Code adoption: July

  15. Option 1: No Change, Baseline • Some builders install RRNC voluntarily. • Some owners fix radon after they move in. • Assuming no mitigation, expect about 472 cancers during the lifetimes of 59,000 new residents in 24,000 new dwellings with median 2.5 pCi/L.

  16. Option 2: Require RRNC • 47% reduction from passive system would avoid about 222 lifetime cancers. • Cost is about $522 per system, or about $56,000 per cancer avoided. • Further reduction if owner installs fan for about $200

  17. Other OptionsWe Have Thought About • Ordinance “exceptions” based on: • First Owner Preference (quasi-voluntary) • Building Location (map-based) • Building Cost (keep housing affordable) • These are not desirable because: • Un-equal protection • More costly to administer • Home owner can’t tell if he has a radon system based on date of construction

  18. Radon Resistant New Construction Makes Sense • Low-cost • $350-$500 per home • Versus $800-$2,500 to retrofit • Simple -- uses common building materials • Effective -- reduces radon levels by about 50% • Other benefits include moisture control and energy savings • RRNC protects families

  19. Public Outreach • Web site: www.fcgov.com/radon • Phone: Comment Line 416-2942 • Outreach to affected groups • Letter requesting comments • Advertising, press releases

  20. Thanks to… • National Environmental Health Association • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency …for presentation materials

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