Radon Mitigation in SchoolsRadon gas can be a hazard in almost any type of structure including our schools. Unfortunately, many school districts fail to perform radon testing or radon inspections due to the absence of any laws requiring it. Being proactive about radon gas in schools is very important for our children's lung health because children are more susceptible to the harmful effects of radon gas due to their increased respiratory rates. Fortunately, if a school has done the proper testing, radon gas can be removed with the installation of a radon mitigation system. Radon mitigation systems installed in schools look similar to systems installed in residential homes and can be hidden quite nicely to maintain aesthetics. Our radon mitigation systems designed for schools are guaranteed to lower radon levels below the EPA action level for radon gas of 4.0pCi/L. Many times, radon mitigation systems can reduce indoor radon levels to levels at or below the average radon levels in outdoor air.
One of the main reasons many parents and faculty members find value in radon testing and radon mitigation in schools is the fact that in many cases, children and faculty spend 8 or more hours per day in the classroom or in extra curricular activities. That is, since radon related lung cancer risk is drastically increased during consistent, prolonged exposure to elevated levels of radon gas, spending 1/3 of the day in a building with elevated levels of radon gas is undoubtedly concerning. Bringing in a company with both radon testing and radon mitigation experience is extremely important because there may be many factors, including the HVAC system, that play into the reason for the elevated radon levels discovered. Most companies that specialize in both radon testing and radon mitigation will be able to not only identify how high the radon levels in the building are but also inspect the building, do pre-installation diagnostics, and design and build a proper mitigation system to ultimately solve the issue. Lastly, while the same concept of sub-slab depressurization is used to ultimately lower the radon levels in both schools and smaller residential properties, quite a bit more work, including initial diagnostics and complex system design is not just necessary, but imperative in larger structures like schools.
Our team at Lifetime Environmental Solutions has tested and mitigated schools all across the country, and we are eager to help you take the right steps in making your school a healthier place to learn. Our testing and estimates are discreet, timely, and professional, and our installers are some of the most experienced in the industry. Lifetime Environmental is certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) as well as the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) also educated by both the university of Minnesota and Rutgers University, so we abide by all of their standards for both radon mitigation and radon testing work. Give us a call today for a free, no obligation estimate!
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Radon Exposure in Schools:
When radon gas rises up from the soil it can become trapped underneath a structure such as a school, and start to seep in through gaps and cracks in the slab floor or through other access points like plumbing penetrations or open sump pump pits. Generally, the main way radon is brought into the structure is through a negative pressure differential between the building and the soil beneath. That is, generally a negative pressure created by barometric pressure or stack effect in the building (although there are many other possibilities these are most common). If the floor cracks and penetrations are tightly sealed, radon gas is a smaller molecule than water, so with that being said, it can also penetrate through the concrete. With nowhere to naturally dissipate into the outdoor air, radon will start to build up and decay inside of the structure. The decay chain of radon is what can be harmful to humans as the radioactive particles can attach to the lining of the lungs and ultimately cause lung cancer. Radon gas levels tend to be at their highest in the lowest level of a structure. In many schools across the country, the lowest level contains classrooms where teachers and students spend around 8-hours per day. Exposure to radon over long periods of time is proven to cause lung cancer. In fact, radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer--second only to smoking. So, if a school has elevated levels of radon and students as well as teachers are spending 8-hours, or more, per day breathing it in, it is pretty easy to build up a lot of exposure time to this harmful gas. It is not uncommon to find dangerous radon gas levels in schools, especially in certain areas of the country, particularly the Midwest, the Rocky Mountain Region, and many states out east. Testing for radon in schools, and mitigating radon if necessary, should be one of the main tasks at the top of every school superintendent’s to-do list!
RADON MITIGATION SYSTEM BENEFITS
Radon mitigation systems save lives, and there is very little downside, if any, to having one installed.
These are just a few of the benefits a properly installed radon mitigation system can provide for your school:
The only downside of a radon mitigation system is the potential cost, and in some cases, the negative curb appeal or aesthetics of having PVC on the building. However, the cost of installing a radon mitigation system is minimal compared to most other improvement projects (not to mention the cost of developing lung cancer) and in most cases, systems can be hidden so they are not considered eye sores.
These are just a few of the benefits a properly installed radon mitigation system can provide for your school:
- Cleaner/healthier indoor air
- Moisture reduction
- Peace of mind
- Happier students, teachers, and parents
The only downside of a radon mitigation system is the potential cost, and in some cases, the negative curb appeal or aesthetics of having PVC on the building. However, the cost of installing a radon mitigation system is minimal compared to most other improvement projects (not to mention the cost of developing lung cancer) and in most cases, systems can be hidden so they are not considered eye sores.