RESIDENTIAL AIR QUALITY IN INTERIOR ALASKA

Interior Alaska has indoor air quality issues similar to other far northern communities associated with long cold winters and reduced ventilation rates. Moreover, geological features in the hills around Fairbanks, Alaska increase the likelihood of elevated radon levels. Over thirty percent of the tested homes in the hills around Fairbanks had radon levels > 4 pCi/l compared with a nationwide average of 7%. Active sub-slab depressurization systems tested were very effective in reducing indoor radon concentrations (average reduction of over 90% for 8 homes). For homes with wood stoves, we found the indoor PM10 concentrations peaked after the stoves were lit. A model was developed to predict transient concentrations of particulates or gases.