Riverwood Charter Student Presents Science Project at Symposium

Photo: Pascal Acree. Credit: Riverwood International Charter School

Riverwood International Charter School student Pascal Acree recently had a chance to present his study on radon levels in homes at the international Radon Symposium in Charleston, South Carolina.

Last year, when Pascal was a sophomore in honors chemistry, he did his science fair project on the effect of environmental conditions on radon levels in homes.

This study sought to determine the effect of environmental conditions on radon levels in a home.

The two independent variables in the experiment were: whether or not it was raining; and whether the HVAC system on the main level of the home was set to “ON” for continuous ventilation or “AUTO” for forced air only to maintain temperature.

A recently calibrated Radalink Aircat® radon detector was placed in an unfinished basement of a three story house that had recently recorded concentrations at exactly 4.0 pCi/l, the action threshold level.

Based on the results, it was concluded that an active ventilation system successfully reduces radon. For this particular house, it was also concluded that the presence of rain increases radon concentration levels.

The absence of requirements for engineered ventilation in our residential building codes misses the opportunity to achieve safer levels. Accordingly, regulatory measures are recommended for new residential construction.

Pascal, who is now a junior, took his project to the next level by making a poster and presenting his findings at the symposium.