Why is my Radon level high even with passive ventilation in place?

Question

We have about 6 PVC pipes with Aqua covers on them that were installed when we built our log cabin. We were told that they were for the Radon to escape. We just had a 24-hr test done and the number was 14. They said it was too high and we needed to get a "something inhibitor". I have no idea what they're talking about. My son's bedroom is down there for five years - he seems fine? Are these pipes that we have sporadically around the house for radon gas escape? We also have one about 60’ away from the house - it’s a drain pipe for gases to be released. What do I do and do you know where or what they're talking about?

Answer 1

Radon is serious business

But at least there's some cool science around it. Ever wonder why volcanos exist? Why is the earth hot? Turns out it is radioactive decay. When God created the earth He "aged" it 5 billion years, which destroyed all radioactive substances except uranium, which has such a long half-life that some still exists. "Half-life" means the element spontaneously decays randomly - in 4.5 billion years, half your uranium-238 will decay into Thorium-230. That decays much sooner into Radium-226 (which was discoved by Marie Curie in 1898, yes, a woman scientist then). That's all well and fine, these are all heavy metals that combine with other elements to make heavy molecules, and just stay in the earth. The heat of decay becomes volcanos.

However, Radium-226 decays into Radon-222. Problem. Radon is also a noble gas, to enter a whole 'nother branch of science. The noble gas you know best is helium: it's like air, but lighter than air. Noble gases are complete by themselves, they don't want to combine with any other elements - which is why they are gases.

The problem is radon doesn't want to stay in the earth. It is lighter than earth, so it tries to go straight up, and heads for places like basements. However, unlike helium it is heavier than air, so it likes to collect in low places.

Radon is highly unstable (short half-life), which means it is highly radioactive. It will soon decay into Polonium-218, famous for being used to kill Russian dissidents. Noble gases are harmless, but if radon decays while it's in your lungs, two things happen. First, it emits alpha radiation which lungs are vulnerable to. Second, it turns into polonium-218 which is not a gas, it's a heavy metal, so it falls to the bottom of your lungs instead of being exhaled. So the bottom of your lungs take damage from the polonium both from the heavy metal toxins and from the radiation when it decays. Not good.

This is a natural process. Nuclear technology had nothing to do with it.

This damage is cumulative. Every decay is a "dice roll" - 99.9% of hits, the DNA damage is detected and the cell self-destructs. But that is done by the 17p and 11q chromosomes, if that takes a hit, the error may replicate endlessly. That's what cancer is.

The upshot is, do whatever you need to get that stuff outta there. No more sleeping in the basement - not even tonight - and get some windows open throughout the house to keep fresh air rolling through.

Given the large number of pipes, I gather this is a "passive system" - they are hoping convection or gravity would carry the radon away. That was probably a good bet, but not every good bet wins. This one didn't. The next step is to use small fans to force the air to circulate. I wouldn't wing-ding this, this is one of the extremely rare cases where I say at least consult with a professional.

If you're into DIY, ask them how much work you can do yourself, like get power wired to the right places in the right way, e.g. On the generator board but not on a circuit that might trip, e.g. The table saw circuit or AFCI/GFCI.

Dueling safety systems are a problem, like a low-water trip on a fire pump. Save the pump, lose the hospital. You don't want a GFCI saving you from a ground fault by shutting down the radon system.

Answer 2

Pipes are installed under your house and extend up through the roof. If radon will passively escape and lower your radon gas level, then you’re fine. If the radon gas level does not go down, then you’ll need to hook up a fan on one of the pipes running up through your house and “exhaust” them out from under your house.

Answer 3

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. You can't see or smell radon. Testing is the only way to know your level of exposure. See https://www.epa.gov/radon for more info. That said, it looks like you've tested for it by a certified Radon tester and discovered that it's above acceptable levels. You should mitigate it by contacting a Radon Mitigation Specialist who will install a noiseless fan on the exhaust pipe connected to the pipes under your house. Once installed, the test should be taken again to ensure levels are below 4 pCi/L. In the meantime, don't let anyone sleep in the basement. You can find professionals in the EPA link I referenced.

Answer 4

With an action level of 2.0 pCi/L, the cancer risk presented by radon gas is hundreds of times greater than the risks allowed for carcinogens in our food and water.

If you have readings of 14 - I wouldn't let my kid sleep in the house. People used to smoke in houses and have their children exposed to cigarette smoke.

The pipes allow you to either passively have radon escape or to attach a powered fan to depressurize the soil gases and suck them out of the house. Radon is a decay product of Uranium and is found in granites and bedrock.