SGM-SF_2017with 12/20 Revisions

ANSI/AARST SGM-SF 2017 (with 12/20 revisions) Introduction i SGM-SF 2017 with 12/20 revisions Soil Gas Mitigation Standards for Existing Homes Scope Summary and Introduction This standard specifies practices, minimum requirements and, general guidance for reducing soil gas entry into existing homes in order to mitigate occupant exposures to certain hazardous soil gases, including radon gas, chemical vapors and other hazardous gases. This standard of practice is applicable to residential structures to include: those not more than three stories above-grade in height, those often classified as single-family structures, and those that contain not more than four attached dwelling units on a contiguous foundation. 12/20 Revisions for 2021 This publication is the first in a series of mitigation standards updates that seek to harmonize and improve as many provisions as possible across ANSI/AARST SGM-SF, RMS-MF and RMS-LB. For compliance purposes, these changes go into effect 9/1/2021. Substantive changes: Continuous maintenance efforts have resulted in harmonized updates for most provisions in Sections 6, 7 and 8 for active soil depressurization (ASD ) to read the same in RMS-LB (schools and large buildings), RMS- MF (multifamily buildings) and SGM-SF (existing homes). Editorial changes: Reconciliation for harmonized order of content, informational renderings and page layout. Significance of Purpose Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in the general population. Most people receive their greatest exposure to radon in their homes. Radon in U.S. homes causes approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. 1 Be it at home, work or school, an individual’s exposure to radon gas combines over time to increase the risk of preventable lung cancer. The risk of adverse health effects from inhalation of toxic chemicals in the form of vapor or particulate matter can be significant. The level of concern depends upon the nature, frequency and duration of exposure to the chemical(s). Where chemicals of concern are present in soils adjoining a building, mitigation methods for chemical vapor concentrations in indoor air are similar. This document contains minimum requirements and guidance designed to respond to the health threat of radon gas, chemical vapors and other hazardous soil gases. Historical Perspective In the 1950s, studies confirmed increased incidence of radon-induced lung cancer for workers in underground mines. In the 1980s, studies found that exposure to radon in homes can exceed exposures found in studies of mine workers. Since 1988, the Indoor Radon Abatement Act has authorized U.S. state and federal activities to reduce citizen risk of lung cancer caused by indoor radon concentrations. Since the early 1990s, USEPA has advised all U.S. schools to test for radon and to reduce levels to below 4 pCi/L 3 . In 1999, with the publication of BEIR VI 1 , the National Academy of Sciences confirmed that any exposure to radon holds a degree of risk. In addition, the Academy’s BEIR VII committee stated that exposure to radiation, including any concentration of radon, carries risk. In 2009, the World Health Organization’s WHO Handbook on Indoor Radon confirmed the association between indoor radon exposure and lung cancer, even at the relatively low radon levels found in residential buildings. 2 Initiated in 2010, the U.S. Federal Radon Action Plan (FRAP), followed by the National Radon Action Plan (NRAP), has highlighted an ultimate public health goal of eliminating preventable radon-induced cancer. Designation: SGM-SF As used for catalogue identification, “SGM-SF” stands for Soil Gas Mitigation in Single Family homes. Normative References Referenced publications, including those delineated as normative, are found in Appendix B . 1 National Academy of Sciences, “Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation” (BEIR VI Report) 1999 2 World Health Organization, “WHO Handbook on Indoor Radon: A Public Health Perspective” 2009