Radon Control Methods

[ICE]

Observing the various reactions to radon gives me the feeling that it is not taken seriously in some locales and is overblown in others. For example, a layer of gravel covered with 6mil plastic is good for one jurisdiction while another wants a fan with a pressure monitor.

 

[TheCommish]

I like Massachusetts View provide a passive system and you may not have to provide the depressurization fan this method allows of certificate of occupancy to be issued then testing to be done and if the levels exceed acceptable then the fan can be installed. It might make sense areas known to have very high levels consistently in their new homes that the fan be installed during construction

 

[jar546]

We are exposed daily to strong carcinogens that I believe are far more detrimental to our health.

That is an understatement. I agree. I will tell you that a lot of people finish basements and put bedrooms in them, which people spend a lot of time in. This increases the risk exponentially. I have tested basements for radon that had negligible readings and those that exceeded 100 pCi/L, which is an insane number, and a lot of them in hot spots, typically a lot of rock, routinely in the 20s and 30s. Add to that a well instead of public water, and you compound the problem. People spend anywhere from 2,500 to 3,200 hours annually in bed. For those in a high radon environment, that is a lot of exposure.

I understand you are agreeing that radon is real, but it is obvious that you don't agree with the science as to its dangers. This is where we don't agree.

 

[Gregg Harris]

Correct whole-house ventilation would eliminate this issue and resolve many others simultaneously for less money.

Unfortunately, scare tactics have been used to embellish this issue. I have seen companies that supposedly are industry experts charge exorbitant amounts of money to cut a hole in a floor corner ad piping with a fan to the outside.

 

[jar546]

Correct whole-house ventilation would eliminate this issue and resolve many others simultaneously for less money.

Unfortunately, scare tactics have been used to embellish this issue. I have seen companies that supposedly are industry experts charge exorbitant amounts of money to cut a hole in a floor corner ad piping with a fan to the outside.

That is a free-market issue, not a code or science issue. I believe the levels found during repeated testing should determine whether the system is passive or active. Then you can repeat the testing to determine effectiveness.

 

[Wstubbs]

Correct whole-house ventilation would eliminate this issue and resolve many others simultaneously for less money.

Unfortunately, scare tactics have been used to embellish this issue. I have seen companies that supposedly are industry experts charge exorbitant amounts of money to cut a hole in a floor corner ad piping with a fan to the outside.

HRV can dissipate up to 50%.. so turns a 7pico to 3.5

 

[SCBO1]

IRC 2021, Figure, AF103.1 has details on different set ups and they all go through the roof, not sure why you go to the underside of the sheeting in the attic?

The radon people got ahold of the realtors who became the Radon Police and started enforcing the issue in this area. My own realtor worked against me and I ended up installing a fan and pipe for $750.00. The thing that chaps me is we lived in the house with "Radon" for 24 years and I get gigged for installing the fan system for the new owner!

 

[mark handler]

Depending on where you are Radon gas levels vary. Passive works in some areas but not others