What is the stack effect in relation to Radon movement?

The stack effect refers to the natural phenomenon that occurs within buildings, particularly when warm air inside a building rises, creating a pressure difference that can draw air from the surrounding environment, including from the soil beneath. When warm air rises, it creates a lower pressure area at the base, resulting in a suction effect that can pull air, and any associated gases like radon, from the ground into the living space.

In the context of radon movement, this means that as the warm air inside a building rises and escapes, cooler, denser air from outside (or in this case, from the soil) is drawn into the building to replace it. If the soil under the structure contains radon, this suction can lead to an increase in radon levels indoors, making the stack effect a key factor in radon entry into homes.

Understanding the stack effect is crucial for radon measurement technicians, as it highlights the importance of monitoring radon levels in buildings, especially during colder months when the effect is more pronounced due to the significant difference in temperature between indoor and outdoor air.