If you’re working in underground structures or in close contact with soil, you might be at risk for radon exposure. Radon is an invisible, odourless, tasteless, radioactive gas formed by the disintegration of uranium in the soil. Radon is present in all places in small amounts, however high radon ranges can happen in areas where the rock or soil is rich in uranium. High ranges of radon are linked to lung cancer. In actual fact, lengthy-time period publicity to radon gas is the second highest cause of lung cancer after smoking. If your work entails spending extended intervals underground, or if you happen to’re working in caves or excavations, be aware that radon generally is a dangerous workplace hazard.
The place is radon found?
Low ranges of radon exist in all places but radon can change into hazardous when work is being executed in or round uranium-rich earth. As the uranium decays it turns into radium, which then decays into radon gas. Radon gas could be present outdoors and can also leach through soil and floors and enter buildings and other enclosed spaces.
The focus of radon in the indoor air is determined by the amount of radium within the soil and the way easily it might probably move by means of building supplies and into indoor spaces. Things like concrete flooring and walls slow down the movement of radon from the soil into a building, but cracks and different gaps permit radon to enter. Indoor radon concentrations are nearly always higher than out of doors concentrations. Once inside a building, radon cannot simply escape, and this scenario is worsened by building seals which are designed to limit the amount of out of doors air coming into the building (for energy conservation functions). Radon ranges are usually highest in cellars and basements because these areas are nearest to the source and are normally poorly ventilated.
How to reduce the risk
In the event you work in an space that is known to have high concentrations of radon, it is best to investigate the conditions. This is especially vital if you’re working in excavations or in buildings with rooms partially or totally below ground level. Qualified professionals can provide an assessment or you can do it your self with a measuring kit available on-line or in hardware stores. To provide a realistic measure of the radon exposure, measurements needs to be made in the lowest occupied stage of the structure.
If your space tests above the government issued guidelines, you should hire a licensed radon professional to evaluate how the radon level can best be reduced. The commonest radon reduction method is called sub-slab depressurization. With this solution, a pipe is put in by the basement sub-flooring to an outside wall or up by means of to the roof line. Then a small fan is hooked up to draw the radon from below the building to the outside earlier than it will possibly enter the indoor spaces. This type of system can reduce the radon stage in a building by more than 90%. Growing air flow and sealing main entry routes may help reduce radon levels, but their effectiveness shall be limited relying on the radon focus and the unique characteristics of each building.
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