Cost and effectiveness of radon barrier systems

This paper estimates the cost of the earthen, asphalt, and multilayer covers for three tailings piles designated high priority by the US DOE. The sensitivity of the cost of the radon barrier systems to the radon flux reduction which must be achieved, the amount of cover material required to obtain the desired flux reduction, and the exact location of the disposal sites is examined. The three types of covers were field tested at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory. The cost estimates for the three high priority western sites indicate that 3m of earthen cover is the least costly radon barrier when earthen material is available at or near the disposal site