Indoor radon risk
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in indoor environments, posing a risk to human health.
Such environments include the homesThe officesthe community structuresthose recreational and social in which the population spends much of its time and which can therefore be more exposed to pollutants which, remaining inside closed spaces, are capable of reaching high concentrations.
Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of radon has been associated with a increased risk of lung cancer. The management of this risk is crucial in both residential and work contexts, and it is for this reason that the Technical Notebook offers specific indications for radon mitigation.
Objectives of the technical notebook
The document has several objectives.
- Sensitization and awareness: inform citizens and technicians about the importance of radon control.
- Definition of standardized methodologies: Establish clear criteria for measuring and monitoring radon concentrations.
- Promotion of technical interventions: Illustrate practical solutions to reduce radon concentrations, such as ventilation systems, crack sealing and depressurization techniques.
- Sustainability and environmental compatibility: integrate prevention measures with energy efficiency objectives, minimizing environmental impact.
- Prevention in new buildings: provide guidance for designing safe buildings, preventing the accumulation of radon already in the construction phase.
Mitigation and prevention interventions
Radon management is based on two main approaches: the reduction of concentration already present and the prevention of its entry in buildings.
Among them more effective techniques of reduction interventions include:
- ventilation: natural or mechanical, to dilute the concentration of the gas;
- depressurization of the ground: through extraction systems under the building slab;
- crack sealing: with materials such as resins and sealing mortars.
For the new buildingsit is essential to adopt preventive measures, such as the use of radon-impermeable membranes and specially designed ventilation systems.
Factors to consider for intervention
THE’effectiveness of the interventions to reduce radon in indoor environments it depends on the evaluation of numerous factors linked to the characteristics of the building, the site and the use of the spaces. Here are some of the main aspects to consider:
- soil characteristics: soil permeability, the presence of volcanic rocks or gravel and local geological conditions influence the flow of radon in buildings;
- construction type of the building: building materials (e.g. granite, concrete with fly ash), structural configuration (basements or crawl spaces) and the state of maintenance (cracks or fissures) affect the entry and accumulation of radon;
- air changes and ventilation: the level of natural or mechanical ventilation directly affects the dilution of indoor radon. Inadequate ventilation systems can favor the accumulation of gas;
- intended use of the spaces: continuously inhabited environments require more attention than rooms used occasionally or for services;
- climatic factors: temperature, wind and seasonal variations can increase or decrease the risk of radon infiltration;
- habits of the occupants: User behavior, such as opening windows, affects air quality.
