Cost-Effective Strategies to Control Radon in Residences

Many control strategies can be used to address health and comfort concerns posed by high levels of indoor air contaminants. Sufficient experience exists to develop models that estimate the effectiveness and cost of radon (Rn) mitigation strategies in single-family houses. In this paper, cost curves are developed that use one or several control strategies to achieve a range of concentration reductions. The results indicate preferred “cost-optimal” strategies at various mitigation levels. Rn control strategies considered include sealing, block-wall ventilation, subslab ventilation, drain-tile ventilation, ventilation with and without heat recovery, and water treatment. For a case-study residence typical of U.S. single-family homes, cost-effective control is provided by sealing soil-gas entry routes, block-wall ventilation, and heat-recovery ventilation. Other strategies can provide similar Rn reductions, but at higher costs. The sensitivity of results to climate and energy-price assumptions is explored. Identifying strategies that are cost-effective will help to increase their use and reduce risks.