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

Project Description

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 (1) current and future building regulations regarding retrofit, 2) national and international data on radon levels in retrofit buildings, 3) 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.