United States Environmental Protection Agency Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory Research Triangle Park NC 27711 Research and Development EPA/600/S9-91/026 Oct. 1991 x EPA Project Summary Proceedings: The 1990 International Symposium on Radon and Radon Reduction Technology Ronald B. Mosley, Compiler The proceedings of the 1990 Interna- tional Symposium on Radon and Radon Reduction Technology are contained in three volumes. Volumes 1 and 2 contain 47 oral papers and 13 panel papers, while Volume 3 contains 45 poster papers. The presentation of these papers provided an opportunity for and stimulated the exchange of information among partici- pants on a variety of topics relating to indoor radon and its control. The symposium was jointly spon- sored by EPA's Air and Energy Engi- neering Research Laboratory and its Office of Radiation Programs. The meet- ing was held In Atlanta, Georgia, on February 19-23, 1990. Participation reached nearly 600 representing fed- eral, state, and local governments, ra- don measurement companies, radon mitigation companies, research orga- nizations, academia, construction com- panies, real estate and relocation com- panies, and school facilities personnel. This Project Summary was developed by EPA's Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC, to highlight the key findings of the symposium. The results of recent research are fully documented in the three volumes of the proceedings by the same title. Information for ordering the full proceedings is at the back of this summary. Introduction The papers contained in the proceedings cover a broad range of topics including: government programs, policies, and public information relating to radon, radon-related health studies, radon measurement meth- ods, radon surveys, radon entry dynamics, radon in the natural environment, radon reduction methods, radon prevention in new construction, and radon issues in schools and other large buildings. It was revealed that, in spite of the recommendations by both EPA and the Surgeon General for everyone to test their houses, less than 5% of the homeowners have tested for radon. It was also noted that most of the measure- ments that are being made are stimulated by real estate transactions. Most people who test do not follow up with mitigation, and frequently those who do mitigate end up with an inferior installation because they elect to go with the lowest bidder. A 1989 study of 473 radon mitigation systems in New Jersey indicated that 56% of the post- mitigation measurements on the lowest floor were below 4 pCi/L, compared to only 38% in a similar 1988 study. Limited studies of the reliability of mitiga- tion systems indicate that many subslab depressurization systems are operating sta- bly after 2-4 years. One common failure has been the capacitor in the fan. A limited set of studies support the argumentthat a subslab depressurization system with a passive stack may be a judicious first step for builders in radon-prone areas. Differences of opinion still abound con- cerning the best procedures for measuring radon concentrations in schools. However, most commenters favored testing during the school year (as opposed to summertime testing) under closed conditions with the air handlers off. Major school testing programs are underway, and some mitigation is tak- ing place. Increased activity in testing and Printed on Recycled Paper ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory Research Triangle Park NC 27711 Research and Development EPA/600/S9-91/026 Oct. 1991 y EPA Project Summary Proceedings: The 1990 International Symposium on Radon and Radon Reduction Technology Ronald B. Mosley, Compiler The proceedings of the 1990 Interna- tional Symposium on Radon and Radon Reduction Technology are contained in three volumes. Volumes 1 and 2 contain 47 oral papers and 13 panel papers, while Volume 3 contains 45 poster papers. The presentation of these papers provided an opportunity for and stimulated the exchange of information among partici- pants on a variety of topics relating to indoor radon and its control. The symposium was jointly spon- sored by EPA's Air and Energy Engi- neering Research Laboratory and its Office of Radiation Programs. The meet- ing was held in Atlanta, Georgia, on February 19-23, 1990. Participation reached nearly 600 representing fed- eral, state, and local governments, ra- don measurement companies, radon mitigation companies, research orga- nizations, academia, construction com- panies, real estate and relocation com- panies, and school facilities personnel. This Project Summary was developed by EPA's Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC, to highlight the key findings of the symposium. The results of recent research are fully documented in the three volumes of the proceedings by the same title. Information for ordering the full proceedings Is at the back of this summary. Introduction The papers contained in the proceedings cover a broad range of topics including: government programs, policies, and public information relating to radon, radon-related health studies, radon measurement meth- ods, radon surveys, radon entry dynamics, radon in the natural environment, radon reduction methods, radon prevention in new construction, and radon issues in schools and other large buildings. It was revealed that, in spite of the recommendations by both EPA and the Surgeon General for everyone to test their houses, less than 5% of the homeowners have tested for radon. It was also noted that most of the measure- ments that are being made are stimulated by real estate transactions. Most people who test do not follow up with mitigation, and frequently those who do mitigate end up with an inferior installation because they elect to go with the lowest bidder. A 1989 study of 473 radon mitigation systems in New Jersey indicated that 56% of the post- mitigation measurements on the lowestfloor were below 4 pCi/L, compared to only 38% in a similar 1988 study. Limited studies of the reliability of mitiga- tion systems indicate that many subslab depressurization systems are operating sta- bly after 2-4 years. One common failure has been the capacitor in the fan. A limited set of studies support the argumentthat a subslab depressurization system with a passive stack may be a judicious first step for builders in radon-prone areas. Differences of opinion still abound con- cerning the best procedures for measuring radon concentrations in schools. However, most commenters favored testing during the school year (as opposed to summertime testing) under closed conditions with the air handlers off. Major school testing programs are underway, and some mitigation is tak- ing place. Increased activity in testing and v Printed on Recycled Paper ------- mitigating schools is anticipated for the near future. Participants were welcomed by Georgia State Representative Frank Redding. An invited Lead Talk was presented by Vernon Houk, Assistant Surgeon General from the Centers for Disease Control. Houk dis- cussed implications of radon health risks to the public, and emphasized the importance of reducing these risks. His characterization of health risks was followed by keynote speaker, Richard J. Guimond, Director of EPA's Office of Radiation Programs. The keynote address challenged partici- pants in three areas: (1) to continue to explore science as a means to improve measurement technology, mitigation tech- nology, and preventive capabilities; (2) to not lose sight of the "big picture"—reducing health risks—and that, if errors are inevi- table, they should be made in the interest of protecting the public health rather than ex- cessive scientific conservatism; and (3) to foster cooperation among the many groups (scientists, federal and state governments, educators, measurement and mitigation in- dustries, and the building trades) in order to protect the public interest and the public health. Volumes 1 and 2 — Papers Volumes 1 and 2 contain 47 papers (pre- sented orally in the nine sessions listed below) and 13 papers on measurements and measurement methods (presented in panel discussions). The titles, principal au- thors, and affiliations are listed below for each session. Papers for Sessions I-IV are in Volume 1; those for Sessions V-IX are in Volume 2. Session I: Government Programs, Policies, and Public Information Relating to Radon Dennis Wagner, Chairperson EPA-Offlce of Radiation Programs EPA's Radon Action Program: Accomplish- ments and Future Challenges Margo Oge, EPA-Office of Radiation Pro- grams Regulation of Radon in Drinking Water Gregory Helms, EPA-Office of Drinking Water "Social Marketing" and the Reduction of Indoor Radon Thomas J. Bierma, Illinois State University Public Policy Considerations and the De- velopment of a Code for the Control of Radon in Residences Mike Nuess, Washington Energy Extension Service Evolution of EPA's National Radon Mitiga- tion Training and Quality Assurance Pro- grams Jed Harrison, EPA-Office of Radiation Pro- grams Session II: Radon-Related Health Studies Christie Ehmann, Chairperson Centers for Disease Control Lung Cancer Mortality Among Nonsmoking Uranium Miners Exposed to Radon Daugh- ters Robert J. Roscoe, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Radon and Lung Cancer Among New Jer- sey Women Janet Schoenberg, New Jersey State De- partment of Health EPA's Approach to Assessment of Radon Risk Anita Schmidt, EPA-Officeof Radiation Pro- grams Radon Daughter Exposure in Dwellings and Multiple Myeloma Inge Tell, Lund University, Sweden Whole Body Counting of Radon Daughters Robert A. Schlenker, Argonne National Laboratory High Radon Houses: Questions About Log Normal Distributions and Implications for Epidemiology and Risk Assessment Robert Goble, Princeton University Session III: Radon Measurement Methods Samuel T. Wlndham Chairperson, EPA-Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility Time Series Linear Regression of Half- Hourly Radon Levels in a Residence David A. Hull, Princeton University Experience with the Wire Screen Unattached Fraction Measurement Technique, Douglas Van Cleef, EPA-Eastern Environ- mental Radiation Facility Panel Discussion on QA/QC of Radon Measurements Terry Howell, Moderator Quality Assurance and Quality Control in the Radon Measurement Industry: What is Missing? Terry Howell, Radon Reduction and Test- ing, Inc. Comparison of the Electret-Passive Radon Monitor System with Charcoal Canisters in Controlled Environments James R. Summers, Analyses Corporation A Radon Chamber Comparison of Alpha Track Detectors Over a Range of Expo- sures William M. Yeager, Research Triangle Insti- tute A Study of Batch Calibrations on 4" Open Faced Charcoal Absorbers from Four Dif- ferent Manufacturers and How They Com- pare to EERFs Published Calibration Curves Dallas L. Jones, Radon Reduction & Test- ing, Inc. Calibration of Alpha-Track Monitors for Mea- surement of Thoron (Rn-220) Mark D. Pearson, UNC Geotech Quality Assurance Procedures for Home Radon Testing Richard Tucker, Radonics, Inc. Panel Discussion on ShorWLong- Term Radon Measurements Richard Sextro, Moderator Issues in the Use of Short-Term Radon Concentration Measurements for Evaluat- ing Long-Term Exposures Richard Sextro, Lawrence Berkeley Labo- ratory The Relationship Between Winter Screen- ing and Annual Average Radon Concentra- tions in U. S. Homes Melinda Ronca-Battista, Scientific and Com- mercial Systems Corporation Temporal Patterns of Indoor Radon in North Central Florida and Comparison of Short- Term Monitoring to Long-Term Averages Charles E. Roessler, University of Florida Study on the Reliability of Short-Term Mea- surements to Predict Long-Term Basement Radon Levels in a Residence T. Agami Reddy, Princeton University ------- Results of Short-and Long-Term Radon Measurements in Soil and Dwellings by Alpha Track Detectors L. Tommasino, ENEA-DISP, Rome, Italy A Statistical Analysis: Predicting Annual ^Rn Concentrations from 2-Day Screen- ing Tests S. B. White, Research Triangle Institute Session IV: Ration Surveys Paul Wagner, Chairperson EPA-Reglon 4, Office of Radiation Radon Exposure in Connecticut: Analysis of Three Statewide Surveys of Nearly One Percent of Single Family Homes Alan J. Siniscalchi, State of Connecticut Department of Health Services Residential Radon Survey of 25 States Jacolyn A. Dziuban, EPA-Office of Radia- tion Programs Surveys of Radon Levels in Homes by Uni- versity of Pittsburgh Radon Project Bernard L. Cohen, University of Pittsburgh Radon in Norwegian Dwellings Terje Strand, National Institute of Radiation Hygiene, Norway Session V: Radon Entry Dynamics William J. Angell, Chairperson University of Minnesota A Simplified Modeling Approach and Field Verification of Airflow Dynamics in SSD Radon Mitigation Systems Kenneth J. Gadsby, Princeton University The Role of Diffusion in Radon Entry Into Houses Allan B. Tanner, U. S. Geological Survey Soil Gas and Radon Entry Potentials for Substructure Surfaces Bradley Turk, Consultant Measurements and Modelling of Radon In- filtration Into a Dwelling P. Stoop, Kernfysisch Versneller Instituut, the Netherlands Session VI: Radon In the Natural Environment Bob Fakundiny, Chairperson New York State Geology Department Benchmark and Application of the RAETRAD Model Vern C. Rogers, Rogers & Associates Engi- neering Corp. Geologic Controls on Radon Occurrence in Georgia L. T. Gregg, Atlanta Testing and Engineer- ing Correlations of Soil-Gas and Indoor Radon with Geology in Glacially Derived Soils of the Northern Great Plains R. Randall Schumann, U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Factors and House Construction Practices Affecting Indoor Radon in Onondaga County, New York Charles Laymon, New York State Depart- ment of Health Geologic Controls on Indoor Radon in the Pacific Northwest James K. Otton, U.S. Geological Survey Session VII: Radon Reduction Methods Michael C. Osborne Chairperson EPA-Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory Evaluation of Sub-Slab Ventilation for In- door Radon Reduction in Slab-on-Grade Houses D. Bruce Henschel, EPA-Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory Radon Mitigation Experience in Houses with Basements and Adjoining Crawl Spaces Marc Messing, INFILTEC Engineering Design Criteria for Sub-Slab Depressurization Systems in Low Perme- ability Soils Charles S. Fowler, Southern Research In- stitute Radon Mitigation Techniques for Basement Houses with Poor Sub-Slab Communica- tion Bobby E. Pyle, Southern Research Institute One-Year Follow-Up Study of Performance of Radon Mitigation Systems Installed in Tennessee Valley Houses Charles S. Dudney, Oak Ridge National Laboratory A Cost-Effectiveness Comparison of Pri- vate-Sector Radon Remediation with Tradi- tional Radiation Protection Activities Daniel J. Strom, University of Pittsburgh The Effectiveness of Radon Reduction in New Jersey Nick DePierro, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Long-Term Performance and Durability of Active Radon Mitigation Systems in East- ern Pennsylvania Houses Arthur Scott, American ATCON Session VIII: Radon Prevention In New Construction Michael Nuess, Chairperson Washington Energy Extension Services Evaluation of Radon Resistant New Con- struction Techniques Terry Brennan, Camroden Associates Radon Mitigation Performance of Passive Stacks in Residential New Construction David Saum, INFILTEC Sub-Slab Pressure Field Extension Studies on Four Test Slabs Typical of Florida Con- struction Richard A. Furman, University of Florida A Pilot Study to Evaluate Radon Resistance of Films and Sealants Using Perf luorocarbon Tracers Mark Nowak, NAHB National Research Center The Use of Coatings and Block Specifica- tion to Reduce Radon Inflow Through Block Basement Walls John S. Ruppersberger, EPA-Air and En- ergy Engineering Research Laboratory Session IX: Radon In Schools and Large Buildings Alfred B. Craig, Chairperson EPA-AIr and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory Radon Measurements in 130 Schools: Re- sults and Implications R. Thomas Peake, EPA-Office of Radiation Programs Radon Diagnostics and Mitigation inTwo Public Schools in Nashville, Tennessee Alfred B. Craig, EPA-Air and Energy Engi- neering Research Laboratory The Effects of HVAC System Design and Operation on Radon Entry Into School Build- ings William A. Turner, Harriman Associates Radon Mitigation Experience in Difficult-to- Mitigate Schools Kelly W. Leovic, EPA-Air and Energy Engi- neering Research Laboratory Air Pressure Distribution and Radon Entry Processes in East Tennessee Schools Linda D. Sinclair, Oak Ridge National Labo- ratory ------- Radon in Schools of Massachusetts Lee Grodzins, NITON Corporation Radon Gas Testing in Kentucky Schools: Summer Testing Pragmatic Concerns and Pressure/HVAC Considerations Patrick S. Holmes, Alpha Spectra of Ken- tucky, Inc. Radon Surveys in Large Buildings - The UCF Radon Project Ralph A. Llewellyn, University of Central Florida Volumes— Papers This volume contains a lead paper and 45 poster papers that were presented. The titles, principal authors, and affiliations are listed below for each session. Lead Paper: Reducing the Health Risks of Radon to the Public Vernon N. Houk, (Invited Speaker) Assistant Surgeon General Centers for Disease Control Session I: Poster Papers Indoor Radon Levels in Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Residences, Com- mercial Buildings, and Schools Harry E. Grafton, Columbus, Ohio, Health Department Model Standards and Techniques for Con- trolling Radon Levels within New Buildings David M. Murane, EPA-Office of Radiation Programs The Florida Radon Research Program: Sys- tematic Development of a Basis for State- wide Standards David C. Sanchez, EPA - Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory Ten Practical Lessons for an Effective Ra- don Risk Communication Program (Abstract Only) Ann Fisher, EPA-Office of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation Interactive House Investigation and Radon Diagnostics Computer Program Lynne M. Gillette, EPA-Office of Radiation Programs Community-Based Radon Education Pro- grams Joseph Laquatra, Cornell University Session II: Poster Papers Radon-Induced Lung Cancer Risk Estimates for the New Jersey Population Mary Cahill, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Indoor Radon Exposure in Norway and Lung Cancer Risk Tore Sanner, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo, Norway Validity of Various Epidemiological Ap- proaches to Assessing Radon Health Risk Susan M. Conrath, EPA-Office of Radiation Programs Assessment of Health Impacts of Radon Exposures in Florida W. T. Vonstille, University of Central Florida Realistic Evaluation of Tester Exposure Based on Florida Testing Experience Richard A. Schrieber, Razman Associates Session III: Poster Papers An E-RPISU (Electret Radon Progeny Inte- grating Sampling Unit): A New Instrument for Measurement of Radon Progeny Con- centration in Air Paul Kotrappa, Rad Elec, Inc. A Review of the Detection Technology in the At Ease Radon Monitor William E. Simon, Sun Nuclear Corporation A Comprehensive Radon Assay System Using Cellulose Nitrate Films Anders Damkjaer, The Technical University of Denmark Two-Filter Continuous Monitor for Low Lev- els of ^Rn and ^Rn David Grumm, New Mexico Institute of Min- ing and Technology Accuracy and Precision of Passive Long- term Radon Detectors as a Function of Concentration and Exposure Time Robert J. Lyon, EPA-Office of Radiation Programs The EPA Diffusion Barrier Charcoal Ab- sorber for Radon Measurements in Indoor Air David J. Gray, EPA-Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility Session IV: Poster Papers Survey of Radon 222 in Monroe County, Pennsylvania Paul N. Houle, East Stroudsburg University Private Sector Radon Mitigation Survey John Hoornbeek, EPA-Office of Radiation Programs Sampling Strategies of Radon Surveys: The Italian Experience Gloria Campos-Venuti, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy First-Phase Study Design for the U. S. Navy Radon Assessment and Mitigation Program (NAVRAMP) Richard B. Gammage, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Radon in Water Aeration System Opera- tional Performance Bruce L. Lamarre, North East Environmen- tal Products, Inc. National Residential Radon Survey Frank Marcinowski, EPA-Office of Radia- tion Programs Session V: Poster Papers Sub-Slab Suction System Design for Low Permeability Soils David Hintenlang, University of Florida Interpreting the Vacuum Suction Test Terry Brennan, Camroden Associates Seasonal Variations of Indoor Radon Con- centrations Benny Majborn, Riso National Laboratory, Denmark Dynamic Multi-Compartment Modelling:The Transport of Radon and Its Decay Products Indoors Craig P. Wray, G. K. Yuill and Associates, Inc. A Data Acquisition System for Monitoring Radon Entry and Distribution R. P. Sieber, University of Saskatchewan Session VI: Poster Papers Determination of Radon-Geologic Provinces in the United States R. Thomas Peake, EPA - Office of Radia- tion Programs Secular Variations of Radon in Metropolitan Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Mory M. Ghomshei, Orchard Geothermal, Inc. Radon in Soils, Caves and Homes of North Central Tennessee Paul D. Collar, U. S. Geological Survey A Statistical Summary of Uranium and Ra- don in Soils from the Coastal Plain of Texas, Alabama and New Jersey Linda C. S. Gundersen, U. S. Geological Survey ------- Effects of Regional and Seasonal Varia- tions in Soil Moisture and Temperature on Soil Gas Radon Arthur W. Rose, Pennsylvania State Uni- versity Session VII: Poster Papers Energy Penalties Associated with the Use of a Sub-Slab Depressurization System Mike Clarkin, Camroden Associates, Inc. Long-Term Durability and Performance of Radon Mitigation Subslab Depressuriza- tion Systems David T. Harrje, Princeton University Radon Abatement System Ancillary Item Ronald F. Simon, RF Simon Company, Inc. Laboratory Studies of "Between the Rooms" Radon Decay Product Removal Units Dade W. Moeller, Harvard School of Public Health Radon Mitigation Techniques for Norwe- gian Houses Bjorn Lind, National Institute of Radiation Hygiene, Norway Session VIII: Poster Paper Radon Reduction in Wood Foundation Sys- tem Roscoe J. Clark, Permanent Wood Foun- dation, Inc. Session IX: Poster Papers Prediction of Maximum Radon Concentra- tions in Schools Using Partial Sampling Methods William E. Belanger, EPA-Region 3 Commercial Mitigation Techniques Used in Remediating a 2200 pCi/L Public Building James G. Davidson, Radon Detection Ser- vices, Inc. EPA's School Protocol Development Study — Phase II Anita Schmidt, EPA-Off ice of Radiation Pro- grams Radon Levels in Non-Residential Buildings in New Jersey Karen Tuccillo, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Electret Ion Chambers for Radon Measure- ments in Schools During Occupied and Unoccupied Periods Kenneth D. Wiggers, American Radon Ser- vices, Ltd. Measuring Radon in the Workplace Michael Boyd, EPA-Off ice of Radiation Pro- grams The School Evaluation Program Eugene Fisher, EPA-Office of Radiation Programs •ftU.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1991 - 548-028/40088 ------- |