To avoid Radon (and Thorens) at home is not possible. Constant ventilation and other measures ensure that the concentrations remain low.
Radon is a radioactive gas that is naturally released from the soil and building materials such as concrete, brick, and stone. Substances that arise from the so-called decay of radon cause several hundred cases of lung cancer a year in the Netherlands. Therefore ventilation is important: it keeps the concentration at home low. This gas can be detected using radon detector.
There is not one substance (radon) But two versions (so-called isotopes) of radon. With radon becomes often isotope Rn-222 meant. The other isotope is Rn-220, which is called Thorens. Thorens is in previous measurements since for radon, among others because they are difficult to hold apart. About Thorens in the house is much less known than about radon.
Tips
1. Ensure good ventilation in the house, by continuously venting.
2. Ventilate The creep space well, so that radon cannot accumulate there.
3. Cover the bottom of the crawl space (airtight) with foil.
The link between radon, Thorens and lung cancer
Radon gas itself is not harmful, even though it is radioactive. You breathe it in, but also out again, before it damages. Radon gas, however, is the result of solid substances that are also radioactive. These small particles attach themselves to dust particles. When you breathe in, they come into the lungs, and you do not breathe them out. The radiation of those solid particles can cause lung cancer.
Radon and Thorens cause several hundred cases of lung cancer in the Netherlands. The exact share of Thorens is uncertain.
Smoking and hearth sticking strengthen effects of radon
Smoking causes the largest proportion of cases of lung cancer (over 85 percent). Apart from that, smoking in the house also strengthens the effects of radon gas; Also for any non-smoking roommates. Smoking increases the number of dust particles in the air, where radioactive particles can attach themselves and inhale those inhabitants.
Also, fine dust from other sources, such as fireplaces, has this effect.
Self-reducing radon and Thorens
It is impossible to avoid the presence of radon and Thorens in the house. You can take action to keep the concentration as low as possible.
Vent
About 70 percent of the radon comes from building materials, 15 percent from the soil and as many from the outdoors. The most effective way to keep the concentration at home is to continuously refresh the air, for example by keeping a valve window or air grids open (more practical tips on ventilating). Released radon may not accumulate then.
Does your home have mechanical ventilation with air supply through grids? Always leave the grids open. Otherwise, there may be a suppression, and then air from the creeping chamber is sucked into the house.
Radon repels crawl space and dwelling
Cover the bottom of the crawl space with foil, to prevent radon from coming into the crawl space.
Check that the crawl space is well ventilated, according to the rules of the construction decree. Openings are needed in the front and rear façade. Then the amount of radon in the crawl space cannot be incurred.
Make the bottom of the ground floor airtight and seal the creep hatch airtight, so that as little as possible of the radon present in the crawl space can go to the dwelling. Do not forget to seal the pipes and connected to the walls properly.
Choose materials that do not provide radon
Are you going to build a new house and want to avoid radon gas as much as possible? Then choose materials that give less radon: glass, steel, natural or rips, limestone, and wood.
Concentration in Dutch houses low
The average radon concentration in Dutch dwellings is low. This is because the Netherlands has no rocky soil.
The latest measurement, in new build homes, came out at an average of 13.5 becquerels (Bq, which is the unit of radiation) per m3 of air. According to EU directives, the concentration should not be higher than 200 BQ per m3 in new construction, and not above 400 Bq per m3 in existing dwellings. Such high values do not occur in the Netherlands or hardly.
Thorens not known
The average concentration of thorns is not well-known. It is more difficult to measure because it does not spread evenly over space (it lapses so quickly that the concentration continues to decrease from the source quickly).
