indoor air quality: radon

Radon Resistant New Construction Program

The mission of this program is to create awareness of radon and educate homeowners on how to reduce radon entry in the home. Typical radon resistant features are:

• Passive Stack Sub-Slab/Sub-Membrane Depressurization — reduces radon levels by installation of a PVC pipe running from beneath the slab to the roof. Works by using natural pressure differentials between the air in the pipe, and the rest of the home and the outside air.
• Active Sub-Slab/Sub-Membrane Depressurization — passive system with the addition of a fan to more actively draw radon from the soil into the stack where it dissipates into the atmosphere.
• Rough-in for Sub-Slab Depressurization — only the sub-slab pipe is installed and the vent pipe is stubbed above the slab. This is not the recommended method. It is not a functioning system until vented to the outside.

Training for builders is available from Southface Energy Institute

Radon-resistant construction techniques can be effective in preventing radon entry. When installed properly and completely, these simple and inexpensive techniques can help reduce indoor radon levels in homes. In addition, installing them at the time of construction makes it easier and less expensive to reduce radon levels further if the passive techniques do not reduce radon levels to below 4 pCi/L. Every new home should be tested after occupancy, even if it was built radon-resistant. If radon levels are still 4 pCi/L or higher, the passive system should be activated by having a qualified mitigator install a vent fan. For more information on radon resistant construction techniques refer to EPA publication, Building Radon Out at www.epa.gov/radon/pubs

Why Build Homes Radon-Resistant?

Offering homes with radon-resistant features can attract more potential home buyers. Consumers are becoming more aware that radon is a health risk, and building a home with radon-resistant features could make it more desirable to purchase. About one in every six homes is being built radon-resistant in the United States every year according to annual surveys conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) research Center over the past decade.

Industry surveys continue to demonstrate a rapidly growing market for more energy, environmentally-friendly, comfortable, and healthy homes. Radon-reduction techniques are consistent with state-of-the-art energy efficient construction. The features may also have an added benefit of decreasing moisture and other soil gases entering the home, reducing molds, mildews, methane, pesticide gases, volatile organic compounds, and other indoor air quality problems. When using these techniques, follow the Model Energy Code for weatherization, which will result in energy savings and lower utility bills for the homeowner.

It is much more cost effective to install a radon-reduction system during construction than to go back and fix a radon problem identified later. All of the techniques and materials are commonly used in construction. On average, installing radon-resistant features during construction costs about $350-$500, or even less if you already use some of the techniques for moisture control or energy efficiency. (Many builders who use the techniques have reported actual cost of $100 or less.) In contrast, retrofitting an existing home will typically cost between $800 and $2500.

A basic radon reduction system called a passive sub-slab depressurization system effectively reduces radon levels by an average of about 50% and, in most cases, to levels below EPA's action level. An upgraded system, called an active sub-slab depressurization system, includes an in-line fan to provide even further reductions. This upgrade is also used by some builders to control moisture in basements and crawlspaces.

Radon Resistant New Construction Action Plan - 5 year plan

Mission:
The UGA Cooperative Extension Service's mission is to educate and disseminate research-based information to consumers that has a bearing in their quality of life.

Overarching Goal:
Educate Georgians on Radon Resistant New Construction

Categories	Findings - what you know and do not know	Objectives - the ultimate result of Actions	Actions - achieving your objectives
1. Consumer Awareness (Year 1-5)	We know that consumers at large are not aware of radon and what it does to our health. Real estate and builders are not fully aware of radon, mitigation and RRNC. We do not know how many builders may be already utilizing RRNC in GA. We do not know the number of homes with radon infiltration or the number of people whose health has been affected by radon.	Raise awareness Promote advocacy Promote testing for Radon Include non-traditional consumers - senior adults, recent immigrants, 1st time homebuyers, etc.	Press releases, Radio ads, TV appearances, newspaper articles, newsletters, web site. Develop exhibits and participate in health and builder fairs Adapt educational awareness programs for Georgia. Apply for grants and work with departments of Health to purchase and distribute radon kits.
2. RRNC Education Program (Year 2-5)	We know that the Southface Institute provides RRNC training for builders in metro Atlanta. We do not know the effectiveness of the training and how many builders are actually implementing it. We do not know if consumers know about RRNC and if they are demanding this technique in the homes they are buying.	Raise awareness among real estate and construction professionals about RRNC. Promote the RRNC training at large through a partnership with Southface and the GA Indoor Air coalition.	Partner with Southface to facilitate their RRNC training and make it available to other areas of the state. Develop RRNC fact sheets that could be utilized by builders and consumers
Evaluation	Pre and post tests to check for knowledge and intention to change behavior. Will develop measurement instrument.
Review and Updates	Continue to work with NEHA and EPA to update knowledge and report on a yearly basis on impact.