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Call (614) 488-1022 or email us at manager@lylelabs.com for your free quote from a licensed radon mitigation specialist.

What is Radon?

Radon is an odorless, colorless gas which is present throughout North America. It is formed from the radioactive decay process of naturally occurring elements present in bedrock, soil, sand, silt, and clay. Radon gas enters buildings by seeping through tiny cracks, holes, or other openings in building foundations, basements, and crawlspaces, where it can accumulate, posing a danger to the inhabitants. According to the EPA, radon is the second most frequent cause of lung cancer, and it is the number one cause among non-smokers. The Ohio Department of Health estimates that half of Ohio homes have radon levels above the EPA's recommended action level of 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).

Radon Testing

Our licensed professionals use solid state photodiode continuous radon monitors. These monitors measure radon in the home for a minimum two day period. Levels are then averaged and reported in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). If the radon level in the home is found to be at or above 4.0 pCi/L, the EPA recommends a radon mitigation.

What to Expect During Testing

EPA and state regulations require closed house protocols be implemented a minimum 12 hours prior to and during testing for accurate results. Per Ohio Radon Measurement Protocol:

• All external doors shall be closed except for normal entry and exit.
• All windows shall be kept closed.
• Operation of permanently installed HVAC systems shall continue during closed-building conditions.
• Air conditioning systems that recycle interior air may be operated during closed-building condition.
• Whole-house fans shall not be operated. Portable window fans shall be removed from the window or sealed in place.
• Window air conditioning units shall only be operated in a recirculating mode.
• Fireplaces or combustion appliances, except water heaters and cooking appliances, shall not be operated unless they are the primary sources of heat for the building.

Radon Mitigation

The EPA has a recommended action level for radon gas of 4.0 pCi/L. Any buildings with radon at or above this level should have a radon mitigation system installed, as per EPA recommendations. Because there is no “healthy” level of radon gas exposure, some people choose to install mitigation systems even when levels are below the EPA's action level. The goal of mitigation is to reduce radon levels in the building as much as possible. Often radon levels are able to be reduced to 2.0 pCi/L or below.

Your radon mitigation system will be custom designed for your home by a licensed radon mitigation specialist. Floor plan, square footage, type of fan needed, presence of french drains, sump pumps, and crawl spaces will all be taken into account in the design of your radon mitigation system. All Lyle Environmental radon mitigation systems will be subject to client approval and comply with Ohio Department of Health mitigation standards. All systems will also be tested after installation for efficacy of radon reduction.

One of the most common mitigation systems is known as “sub-slab depressurization,” whereby a suction pit is installed in the lowest level of a home from which a pipe connected to a fan draws the soil gas up and safely out of the building/home.

A similar type of mitigation system is known as “sub-membrane depressurization.” This system is often used in homes with crawlspaces or basements with earthen floors and requires installation of a high density plastic membrane sealing the earthen floor. A suction pipe will then be inserted into the plastic membrane and connected to a fan that will draw the soil gas from under the membrane up and safely out of the building/home.

Contact us today to speak with a radon mitigation specialist about designing your system.