Demonstrating how radon moves through homes

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impact 1:09 Demonstrating how radon moves through homes

By:

Lee Friesland

29 Jan 2025

Philip Agee, assistant professor of building construction in the Myers-Lawson School of Construction, uses the Heat, Air, and Moisture (HAM) house to demonstrate building physics. The model is also used to visualize how radon can flow from a building's foundation into the air. The CDC has chosen the last week of January to observe Radon Awareness Week, and Agee is also using the model to bring awareness of the invisible dangers of the gas.

For more information on radon and how to test for it visit: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/radiological-health/indoor-radon-program/testing/

I teach a building physics class that really teaches students the fundamentals of building science and how buildings perform. We talk about indoor air quality, and some of these concepts are a little bit abstract. Fluid dynamics, relationships between the built environment and the outdoor environment. And a model like this helps us visualize effects and phenomenon that happen in every building. One thing we are able to simulate is translation of radon gas from the soil into a crawl space. Radon is a naturally occurring soil gas that is harmful to human health. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths behind cigarette smoke in the United States. Our knowledge of radon, the science behind radon, our ability to mitigate it is pretty well developed. So right now, our main effort is about raising awareness, and making people aware of the science behind it. And the resources so we can improve health outcomes in the built environment. To test. You can do it yourself, but there are also licensed professionals that can help test, as well as mitigate radon in your home.

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