June 18th, 1996 The Florida Radon Research Project - A Fruitful Investigation NOTE: Project summaries documents included in the downloadable file "FLRADWP5.ZIP" (FL Radon Research Summaries) are preceded by an "*". Starting with a report written in 1989, the Florida Radon Research Program (FRRP) has resulted in 50 reports to date. Looking only at what this project has done for us in the last 15 months, the last 11 reports are described here. All reports are available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) by calling (703) 487-4650. Project summaries are available on the CTC BBS where indicated. 1. RAETRAD Version 3.1 User Manual, EPA/600/SR-94/196, January 1995, NTIS report number PB95-501995. RAdon Emanation and TRAnsport into Dwellings (RAETRAD) is a computer program written for use with Windows 3.1 on an IBM compatible personal computer. RAETRAD is used to character- ize the effects of foundation soil and fill properties on indoor radon entry, to characterize the modes of radon entry, and to develop lumped-parameter models to support development of radon protective construction standards. 2. The RAETRAD Model of Radon Gas Generation, Transport, and Indoor Entry, EPA/600/SR-94/198, January 1995, NTIS report number PB95-142030. This report details the research that went into RAETRAD and compares the results with empirical data. RAETRAD is described as a relatively simple model, 2-dimensional numerical-analytical simulation of steady-state radon generation and movement into rectangular slab-on-grade houses. *3. Feasibility of Characterizing Concealed Openings in the House-Soil Interface for Modeling Radon Gas Entry, EPA/600/SR-95/020, May 1995, NTIS report number PB95-178414. A lumped-parameter model, based on the detailed RAETRAD model for radon entry, is the basis of the feasibility study. This report gives a sensitivity analysis that defines which parameters of the model are important. A complete project summary is available on the CTC BBS. 4. Evaluation of Building Design, Construction, and Performance for the Control of Radon in Florida Houses: Evaluation of Radon Resistant Construction Techniques in Eight New Houses, EPA/600/SR-95/114, August 1995, NTIS report number PB95-253910. This report covers the design, building, and monitoring of eight new houses. It also gives the hourly air change rate to minimize the radon buildup in the houses. 5. Demonstration of Radon Resistant Construction Techniques - Phase II, EPA/600/SR-95/159, December 1995, NTIS report number PB96-121512. This report gives the effectiveness of 15 new houses using radon resistant construction to avoid buildup of radon within the structures. Some analysis also includes 13 houses which were used in a 1991 study to expand the data pool. This report details numerous problem areas and their corrections. All of the homes are slab-on-grade, which is the typical construction technique in Florida. *6. HVAC Systems as a Tool in Controlling Indoor Air Quality: A Literature Review, EPA/600/SR-95/174, January 1996, NTIS report number PB96-140561. The report gives results of a review of literature on the use of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to control indoor air qual- ity (IAQ). The review covers the years 1988 through 1993, and involved 60 references, 32 of which are cited in the report. The role of HVAC in correcting Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and Building Related Illness (BRI), leading to the ASHRAE Standard 62-1989 is discussed. A complete project summary is available on the CTC BBS. *7. Soil and Fill Laboratory Support--1992, Radiological Analy- ses, Florida Radon Research Program, EPA/600/SR-95/145, February 1996, NTIS report number PB96-140579. This report gives results of radiological analyses of soil and fill sam- ples for the top 0.9 m of North Florida fill (mostly <1 pCi/g) and Central Florida fill (mostly over 1 pCi/g). However, near surface soil gases may be generated at a greater depth; therefore, shallow depth samples may not give the whole picture. A complete project summary is available on the CTC BBS. *8. Site-Specific Characterization of Soil Radon Potentials, EPA/600/SR-95-161, February 1996, NTIS report number PB96-140553. The Florida Department of Community Affairs is developing construction standards for incorporating radon-resistant building features in areas of elevated soil radon potential. Field tests of soil radon flux and moisture measurements were taken from 26 sites to determine whether there was a difference in radium activity. The radon producing potential of the samples was detectably different. The details of the test results are given in the report. A complete project summary is available on the CTC BBS. *9. Residential Radon Construction Feature Selection System, EPA/600/SR-96/005, March 1996, NTIS report number PB96-153473. New house studies included 24 houses. The report describes the basis and development of the system for selecting radon control features for new house construction in different regions according to their mapped soil radon potentials. A complete project summary is available on the CTC BBS. 10. Technical Basis for a Candidate Building Materials Radium Standard, EPA/600/SR-96/022, March 1996, NTIS report number PB96-157565. This report is a summary of the technical basis for candidate building materials radium standard. The report contains the standards and a summary of the technical basis for the standard. *11. Test Cell Studies of Radon Entry, EPA/600/SR-96/010, March 1996, NTIS report number PB96-153549. This study was conducted to contrast the effectiveness of slab-in-stem wall (SSW) with floating slab (FS) construction practices, to measure radon transport and entry for model testing, to develop protocols relevant to depressurized radon measurements, and to determine the effect of high radium fill soil on indoor radon concentrations. A complete project summary is available on the CTC BBS. These reports disclose the process of discovery of the problems in building houses to keep radon from accumulating. The problem is made more severe when the soil contains a high level of radium, which generates the radon gas. Within the state of the art, questions can be answered by David C. Sanchez, the Project Officer. He can be reached at (919) 541-2979 in the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division of EPA's National Risk Management Research Laboratory, located at Research Triangle Park, NC.