Air‐movement control of radon in a retail store

Abstract

Mitigation of radon gas and radon progeny in buildings is based largely on reducing the pressure difference between the point of the radiation source and the point of entry to indoor air. The method is adopted in the mitigation of excess radon concentrations with the installation of a sump arrangement, relieving the pressure emanating from the sub‐soil. However, this proved ineffective in reducing radon levels in a large retail store, whereas the utilisation of the existing air‐conditioning/ventilation system was wholly effective in meeting legal norms for the workplace. The initial study found that the reduction in radon levels brought about by the operation of the system was in absolute terms, and the rate of reduction was a constant which allowed an accurate estimate of the levels at a point in time from the start‐up of the system. Importantly, the operation of the air‐movement system reduced the progeny level substantially, relative to the radon gas.

Citation

Marley, F. and Phillips, P.S. (2001), "Air‐movement control of radon in a retail store", Environmental Management and Health, Vol. 12 No. 5, pp. 483-491. https://doi.org/10.1108/09566160110404890