Radon gas
What is Radon Gas? It is a by-product of a decomposition of uranium and it is a radioactive gas. Another way to describe radon gas is that it is a chemically-inert gas. Radon Gas happens in very small amounts throughout the world. As a result, Earth materials may naturally have radon-emitting particles. It is the heaviest gas because its atomic radius 1.34 angstroms. Radon is very dense compared to air. air is nine times less dense than radon gas. Another dangerous trait about radon gas besides it being colorless and odorless is that it only is one atom, so radon gas can penetrate low density materials easier. In addition, it is soluble in water and other organic solvents. It creates highly electronegative materials.
Sources: Radon gas is found in the ground/ groundwater, and building materials. It is also from the concrete and granite in construction supplies for buildings. Also radon gas can be coming from other natural sources that can come into the home through the basement. It is found water, soil, and igneous rocks. The way that radon gets into the body is by inhalation and ingestion. People are exposed to radon gas in high levels in underground mines. ("Radon Fact Sheet," n.d.)
Control:
Did you know?
That radon gas is one of the biggest causes for lung cancer.
AND
That children are defenseless from radon gas because their respiratory rates are much higher than adults and their rate for the division of cells are very high ("Radon: Preventing/Controlling Exposure," n.d.).
Sources: Radon gas is found in the ground/ groundwater, and building materials. It is also from the concrete and granite in construction supplies for buildings. Also radon gas can be coming from other natural sources that can come into the home through the basement. It is found water, soil, and igneous rocks. The way that radon gets into the body is by inhalation and ingestion. People are exposed to radon gas in high levels in underground mines. ("Radon Fact Sheet," n.d.)
Control:
- Ventilation is the best option to reduce the amount of radon gas.
- Active Subslab Suction: Suction pipes are installed into the floor slab into the crushed rock or soil or below the concrete slab.
- Passive Subslab Suction: It has a similar concept as active subslab suction but it relies on air currents rather than fans. But it is not as effective than active subslab suction.
- Suction on Drain Tiles
- Sealing Cracks: This limits the amount of radon gas that can seep into a building.
- Heat recovery ventilation: A heat recovery ventilator can be inserted to increase ventilation because it uses both cool and hot air to ventilate the air.
- House pressurization: This method uses a fan to blow air throughout the basement or into the basement.
Did you know?
That radon gas is one of the biggest causes for lung cancer.
AND
That children are defenseless from radon gas because their respiratory rates are much higher than adults and their rate for the division of cells are very high ("Radon: Preventing/Controlling Exposure," n.d.).