HDC - Architectural Spectrum | Design & Engineering :: The Portfolio

Radon is a naturally occurring invisible, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that is released from uranium-bearing rocks and soil. It can move from the soil into buildings through openings in the basement, slab or crawlspace. Radon is listed as a Class A carcinogen that ultimately causes lung cancer, and the USEPA action level is 4.0 picoCuries/liter of air.

Radon testing involves initial, follow-up, and post mitigation testing. HDC is capable of short term (48 hours to 90 days) and long term testing (greater than 90 days). HDC is licensed through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Division of Nuclear Safety to test both residential and commercial buildings.

Radon mitigation slows radon entry into the building and reduces indoor radon concentrations. Illinois regulations normally prohibit the same firm from doing testing and mitigation. However, HDC has been given a variance to allow for testing and mitigation of certain commercial properties.

HDC conducted over 20 radon tests in 2003 and installed 6 mitigation systems. Radon is closely governed by the IEPA and can be researched at their website.

	Crawlspace covering. [click on thumbnail at left to view larger image]
	Stack pipe. [click on thumbnail at left to view larger image]
	Basement of a residence with a radon mitigation system installed. [click on thumbnail at left to view larger image]
	Radon mitigation fan and venting attached to a residence. [click on thumbnail at left to view larger image]
	A view of a radon mitigation system's venting. Downspout is used for venting instead of PVC, thus assuring a more aesthetically pleasing and less obtrusive mitigation system. [click on thumbnail at left to view larger image]