Appendix Q_Radon tipsheet.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- 70Z04720REASPOR00
About this file
This document contains two radon mitigation tipsheets and information on a federal construction contract opportunity. The tipsheets provide guidance on testing homes and wells for radon and installing radon reduction systems in new homes and treatment systems for radon in well water. They recommend contacting the Maine Radiation Control program for advice and refer to state regulations and standards for low radon homes. The federal contract opportunity is to design and construct a minimum of four to a maximum of eight single-family housing units on undeveloped Coast Guard land in Perry, Maine. The project includes one base item and three option items. The firm-fixed-price contract will be awarded by the U.S. Coast Guard Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center Facilities Design and Construction Center.
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When you build a new house, protect your family from radon— a major health danger.
Radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer.
High levels of radon gas occur naturally in Maine soil and water, and can move into a house through the ground. The house then traps the radon in the air inside. ANY house can have a radon problem. It doesn’t matter where it’s located.
When you build a new home, you have the chance to protect your family from radon.
Ask your contractor to put in a radon reduction system. The system will cost a little extra - around $1000 or less. This costs less than putting in a treatment system later, and it will work better. The State of Maine has standards for building low radon homes. Check the website below or call us to find out more.
When you move in, test for radon. The test results will tell you if you need to add a fan and activate your system.
If you had a well drilled, be sure to test the well water for radon too.
Use Radon Tipsheet #2 Test Your Home for Radon from the website below to make sure you test correctly.
Discuss your specific situation with State of Maine radon experts.
Most techniques include prepping under the foundation, pipes, and an electric ‘box’.
A radon reduction system has 5 important parts shown in the illustration at right.
What the letters point to:
At least a 4-inch layer of clean gravel or other material under the flooring that allows soil gases to move under the house
Heavy plastic sheeting over the gravel and under the slab to prevent soil gases from coming into the house. In crawl spaces, this sheeting is placed directly over the earth floor.
Cracks and openings in the foundation and walls sealed and caulked to help prevent soil gases from getting in
A Vent pipe (4-inch PVC pipe commonly used for plumbing) that runs from the gravel layer, up through the house, and out the roof
Electric junction box installed so that if needed, an electric fan can be added to draw the radon up and out of the soil
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When You Build a New Home:
Put in a System to Reduce Radon Dangers
Radon Tipsheet #4
Protect your family. Learn. Test. Treat if needed.
• Check this website: www.MaineRadiationControl.org
• For advice: 1-800-232-0842 • radon.dhhs@maine.gov • TTY: 800-606-0215
September 2011
Well water treatment systems lower radon levels to safe limits.
Two water treatment systems can protect your family from the water they drink as well as the water they use—charcoal filter and aeration (say: air A shun).
• GAC - Granular Activated Carbon: This is a big charcoal filter that treats all the water in your house. A GAC works best with moderate, not high levels of radon. Cost: about $1,500.
• Aeration system: An aeration system uses a fan to reduce radon in water between 85% and 99%. This system mixes your water with air inside a plastic tank and then vents the air and radon outdoors, away from the house. These systems work best for higher concentrations. Cost: about $5,000.
Talk with a registered water treatment contractor about the system that is best matched to radon levels and family needs. And, just to repeat, be sure you have results from a radon air test before making any treatment decisions.
If you plan to install a treatment system, read Tipsheet #8 Working with a Registered Radon Reduction Expert.
High levels of radon in well water are a serious danger to family health.
High levels of radon gas occur naturally in Maine soil and water. Radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer.
If you have tested and your well water number is:
• 10,000 or higher You need a treatment system.
• Between 4,000 and 10,000 − maybe treat Call us to discuss: 1-800-232-0842.
• 4,000 or lower Retest in 3 to 5 years.
If you have tested just your well water, test your air too before making treatment decisions.
The major danger from radon in water is when the water is used—for bathing, washing laundry, or even flushing toilets. The radon escapes from the water into the air which is breathed by all family members. There is also some risk from drinking the water, but it is less than the risk from the radon added to the air.
Treatment Systems:
Reduce Radon Levels in Your Well Water
Radon Tipsheet #7
Protect your family. Learn. Test. Treat if needed.
• Check this website: www.MaineRadiationControl.org
• For advice: 1-800-232-0842 • radon.dhhs@maine.gov • TTY: 800-606-0215
Use a contactor registered in Maine to install your treatment system.
To find a registered radon water contractor, access the online registered contractor database at maineradiationcontrol.org, click the link to Radon Service Providers Remember- Contractors in Maine must be trained and registered to fix radon problems.
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