Radon Mitigation

The goal of mitigation is to reduce the radon levels inside a home to below 4 pCi/L. This can be done by using one or a combination of any of the following methods, depending on the structure of the home:

• Ventilation System - passive ventilation can be done by opening or installing vents. Active ventilation uses a fan to blow air through.
• Suction System - like ventilation systems, a suction system can be active or passive. Active sub-slab suction is the most common and reliable system because it sucks radon gas from under the home's foundation and vents it outside. Passive sub-slab suction is the same as active suction, except that it uses air currents instead of a fan. Passive suction systems are not as effective.
• Sealing Cracks - sealing cracks in the foundation of a home will limit the flow of radon into a home and make other methods more effective, but it is only a temporary fix since new cracks may form and old cracks may reopen.
• House Pressurization - this is accomplished by using a fan to blow air into lower levels of a home, creating high pressure that will keep radon from entering.
• Heat Recovery Ventilator - increases ventilation in a home by introducing outdoor air by using the heated or cooled exhaust air to warm or cool the incoming air.

Minnesota Department of Health has a list of contractors that specialize in radon mitigation - this list may be helpful if you choose to hire a professional to mitigate your home.



image from http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/radonconbrochure.pdf