In some article we have already talked about the health of buildings and their facilities, and how it can affect the occupants thereof. It is a subject that can become difficult to deal with when we are already talking about external factors that affect the building itself.
Although we already discussed how to thoroughly disinfect your home, There are other problems that we don't see. The perpetual and high example risk is radon gas , which in some buildings accumulates to the point that it represents a serious risk to human health.
Recently the Technical Building Code in Spain has released a series of detection white papers, diagnosis and protection of buildings against radon gas , that without a doubt, have a high value and that we need to know and see…
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Radon gas is a noble gas of natural origin that is generated from the radioactive decay of uranium and which is present in soils, rocks, water and even some construction materials.
At the end of the article there are several technical guides that explain more broadly how it affects health, but, as data important, according to the WHO, in many countries, radon is the second most important cause of lung cancer after tobacco.
Actually, most buildings contain radon in low concentrations (concentrations well below to 300 Bq/m 3 , which we will talk about this number later forward). But, there are geographical areas in which, due to its geology, it is more likely to find constructions and buildings with higher levels.
In the case of Spanish territory, always speaking of «potential», in the following map of concentration of radon gas in Spain we can already distinguish the areas with high forecasts (The map can be consulted from HERE and loading very slow):
For those users who want to investigate more and see why populations – specific areas – officially labeled – for the Spanish state. From the Basic Document HS of Health that we can consult HERE, at the end, at From page 161, there is the classification of municipalities based on radon potential .
Here, we are not going to expand too much since at the end of the article there is an extensive and explanatory video in format for technical professionals of all the regulations in detail, but yes, in general, the regulatory framework for radon in Spain current:
The regulatory framework for construction can be consulted from the Basic Document DB HS 6 in the Technical Code itself of Building (Spain). We would just like to review one point remarkable and that has been of constant debate.
According to the current regulations for Spain, take as reference level of the annual average concentration of radon of 300 Bq/m3 at a national level and, accordingly with Directive 2013/59/EURATOM. However, and in a way clear, the WHO proposes a reference level of 100 Bq/m3 to minimize health risks from indoor radon exposure Do not we understand! But this is another debate.
But… How does radon gas get inside a building? Or a house, because we really have three main ways that we are going to see now…
When radon reaches the outside environment it is diluted quickly in the air, but when it does to a space closed and poorly ventilated, such as the interior of a building, tends to accumulate becoming then a problem. Radon present inside buildings can come directly from:
| Roads by which we found randon | How can you affect us | Randón levels |
| Radon that come from the ground | By convection through the cracks or areas of the building envelope in contact with the ground (walls basement, floors, etc.) | HIGH (Levels can be very high) |
| Radon that comes from the materials | For the construction materials that have been used in the construction of the work | LOW (the average concentration of radon indoors of homes with a value between 10 and 20 Bq/m3) |
| Radon that comes from water | For the consumption of groundwater (from springs or wells) without aerating | LOW (In surface waters, the average concentration of radon is usually less than 0.4 Bq/l and if the water comes from underground sources the value is around 20 Bq/l) |
As we see in the table above, the high levels of radon we can find them in the areas of the building that they are in contact with the ground . That's where they are the issues to be addressed and a major technical difficulty before any action on the foundations of the buildings and basements.
The building envelope that is in contact with the ground will be the main point before a possible rehabilitation for reduce radon emissions inside the home. An outline of possible access routes:
Although the amount of radon that we can find inside homes depends on many factors, yes that are noteworthy - above all - those related to the land, the construction characteristics of the dwelling, the user behavior or weather:
| Radon levels increased by | |
| Land | Due to the geological composition. There are types of terrain that produce a large amount of radon due to high concentrations of granite, slate and schist |
| Due to the greater air permeability of the soil or greater ease of movement | |
| Due to the degree of water saturation of the land | |
| Characteristics of the Building | By the proportion of the building envelope that is in contact with the ground |
| Due to the permeability of the building to the gases that exist in the ground (cracks, fissures, etc. in basements – foundation) | |
| Due to the type of constructive solution adopted in the foreclosure of the house | |
| For the elements and facilities that pass through of the building envelope (See article Effects negatives of the air conditioning) | |
| For communication runs between the basements and the tall plants | |
| Because of the ventilation system | |
| Climatology | Due to low atmospheric pressures (at large traits, more common in winter) favor the exit of radon gas from the ground, and the high ones, which hinder |
| User behavior | Due to ventilation habits. Generally, the ventilation of premises in contact with the ground will decrease its radon concentration by dilution (No it helps a lot if we have levels of concentration tall) |
The radon concentrations within the buildings can be very fluctuating. Thus, to perform the measurement and detection of radon in houses , detectors are used that estimate average amount of gas. But before measurement, we have to consider:
There are different radon detectors, and your choice It will depend on the purpose of the measurement. In general terms, it could be said that the detectors are classified according to the method measurement, integrated, continuous or punctual; and according to your source power, active or passive.
The types of radon gas detectors can measure the concentration of a gas by 3 methods:
Obviously, this is where the application of the regulations of each country (remember that, for Spain, it is the Basic Document DB HS-6 of the Technical Building Code) but this time, in addition, we will show where to find some chips techniques intended for professionals are a delight.
But first, we want to show the ranking of the solutions according to their way of acting, which will also be corresponding to technical data sheets:
The indicative solutions for protection against radon in a building , whether for a New Construction or rehabilitation (Existing buildings) more suitable are depending on the radon concentration. For Spain, it is proposed:
| Annual average concentration of radon (Bq/m3) | Solutions of protection |
| ≤600 | Provision of protective barrier |
| Sealing of fissures, cracks, joints and joints | |
| Use of watertight doors | |
| Creation of overpressure in the rooms to protect | |
| Improvement of the ventilation of the space of containment | |
| Improvement of the ventilation of the premises habitable | |
| >600 | Creation of containment space |
| Installation of the depressurization system of the terrain |
Of course, from a technical work perspective it is requires dealing with many aspects in more detail, depth and always with qualified professionals.
In addition to the applicable Regulations, there is a series of 10 Technical sheets of insulation and solutions to radon that are help technicians. they will provide us ways to protect the population from the harmful effects health effects that may result from prolonged exposure to high concentrations of radon gas. An example from the documentation quality:
The 12 construction guides for barriers against radon gas in buildings can be consulted from HERE including the Guide Manual of the Technical Building Code.
An important issue that we must not forget is the effectiveness of the different protection solutions. Depending on the characteristics of the building and the measured concentration in question, it will be more efficient to use one work solution or another and it will even be necessary to use solutions cumulatively.
In the attached image, you are oriented on the effectiveness of the different constructive solutions proposed distinguishing between higher radon concentrations (in red) and lower (in yellow) than 600 Bq/m3, measured in the premises – living spaces.
We must not forget that we are facing a complex situation that complex work solutions are needed and that coupled with an application of extensive regulations. For clarify many concepts, in the following video is made an in-depth review of the new protection section against radon :
We have already seen where radon gas appears in the homes, how it works and possible constructive solutions. Now, it's time to report on paper how it has been done solve the problem with technical actions and based on the DB-HS6 of the technical code. Two documents can help.
Although radon is a harmless gas outdoors, constitutes a latent threat when accumulated inside of homes. And it is that, as all gas responds to the laws physics and chemistry of concentration and pressure, reason why which one must be vigilant regarding the levels that reaches inside buildings.
Few people are aware of this problem, so Therefore, it is important to disseminate opportunely and massively information regarding the risks posed by this substance to respiratory health and the appearance of lung cancer. Remember that bioclimatic architecture also contributes, in part, cheers to the buildings.
Other guides of interest and more about how it affects the radon gas to health in the work environment from UGT and from the National Institute of Safety and Hygiene in the I work HERE.
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