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Project title

UNVEIL: UNderstanding VEntilation and radon in energy efficient buildings in IreLand

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)

Lead Applicant

Miriam Byrne

Project Abstract

Within the National Radon Control Strategy, a knowledge gap has been identified regarding current understanding of the implications for ventilation of introducing energy efficient improvements in buildings, and the consequent alteration in indoor radon levels. To redress this, it is proposed that a literature review of three areas is conducted (current and future building regulations regarding retrofit, national and international data on radon levels in retrofit buildings, occupant behaviour in buildings post-retrofit) and analysis of the data is carried out. Using these data, the state of the art IAPPEM modelling code, incorporating radon as the pollutant of interest, will perform simulations to predict radon levels, following retrofit, for a series of representative retrofit scenarios and ventilation conditions; aspects of particular relevance, such as external insulation, and radon levels in excess of 200 Bq/m3, will be considered in this simulations. The findings, which will indicate the dependence of radon levels on building ventilation status and occupancy behaviour, will be used to develop guidance, for the public and for informing policy-makers, regarding the appropriate management of indoor air quality in post retrofit buildings, so that the intended energy benefit is not compromised by an elevated health risk. Outputs � Final report � 1 peer reviewed paper (suitable for Indoor Air or International Journal of Ventilation) � 2-page summary report � Non-peer reviewed publicity (articles, policy papers) � Validated radon model � Oral or poster presentations at two peer-reviewed conferences, Indoor Air 2016 (The 14th International Conference of Indoor Air Quality and Climate. Ghent, Belgium. July 3-8 , 2016), and AIVC 2016 �IAQ 2016- Defining Indoor Air Quality: Policy, Standards and Best Practices �(Alexandria, USA, Sept 12-14, 2016) � Database of radon concentrations in pre- and post- retrofitted buildings Impacts The above outputs will be complemented with a range of additional dissemination measures, aimed at educating and informing both the general public and policy-makers regarding the relationship (that is currently poorly understood) between radon levels and ventilation rates in energy efficient buildings. These measures will include social media participation, and the development of educational tools for primary, secondary and tertiary level students.

Grant Approved

�83,834.10

Research Hub

Healthy Environment

Research Theme

Health and well being

Start Date

01/03/2016

Initial Projected Completion Date

28/02/2017