INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF POLYETHYLENE SHEETING ON RADON CONCENTRATION

Abstract

A continuous radon monitor encased in different thickness of polyethylene sheeting was used to track the variations in radon concentrations in a crawl space area for one month. Variations in relative humidity, barometric pressure, and temperature were recorded in the crawl space area along with the fluctuations in radon concentration. A multiple linear regression model depicting radon concentration was developed for the independent variables of thickness, relative humidity, and temperature. The study rejected the null hypothesis that there was no multiple linear regression model describing the mean radon concentration. The investigation found that the thickness of the polyethylene sheeting and temperature exhibited a negative correlation with radon concentration, whereas relative humidity showed a positive correlation. Although there was a slight negative correlation between radon concentration and thickness of polyethylene sheeting, it was not an effective remediation strategy in this home.