When you’re responsible for a commercial building—whether you’re a property owner, facility manager, or developer—the invisible threat of radon gas demands your attention. Unlike residential properties where radon awareness has become mainstream, commercial buildings present unique challenges that require specialized expertise and engineered solutions. The stakes are high: you’re not just protecting a single family, but potentially hundreds of employees, tenants, or customers who spend significant time in your building.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps into buildings from the soil beneath them. It’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for approximately 21,000 deaths annually according to the EPA. There is no known completely safe level of radon exposure and the unfortunate reality is that radon is found everywhere in world, and is in the very air we breathe. At 4.0 pCi/l, the US EPA’s Standard for corrective action, the lung cancer risk for non-smokers is 7 persons in a population of 1000. Because radon is naturally occurring and not a man-made chemical, the 4.0 pC/l permissible exposure threshold is approximately three orders of magnitude higher than other carcinogens that EPA regulates.
The USEPA has established 3 categories of radon in breathable air: Category 1 is where radon concentrations in breathable air exceed 4.0 pCi/L, Category 2 is between 2 and 4 pCi/L, and Category 3 is less than 2 pCi/L. It is generally recognized that mitigation for Category 3 radon is unlikely to be practical or cost effective due to the presence of radon in ambient air, but the USEPA recommends considering action for Category 2 and Category 3 Sites. Despite these recommendations, many commercial property owners assume radon is only a residential concern—a dangerous misconception that can expose building occupants to serious health risks and expose owners to significant liability.
What Makes Commercial Radon Mitigation Different?
Commercial buildings aren’t just bigger houses. They have complex HVAC systems, multiple entry points for soil gas, varied occupancy patterns, and more stringent regulatory requirements. A commercial radon mitigation system must account for:
Building size and complexity – A 50,000-square-foot office building requires far more than a scaled-up residential approach. Multiple suction points, larger fans, and zone-specific strategies become necessary.
Occupancy liability – When employees or tenants are exposed to elevated radon levels, property owners face potential workers’ compensation claims, lawsuits, and regulatory scrutiny.
HVAC interactions – Commercial heating and cooling systems create pressure differentials that can interfere with radon mitigation efforts or draw additional soil gas into the building if not properly integrated.
Operational continuity – Mitigation work must often proceed while the building remains occupied and operational, requiring careful planning and phased implementation.
This is why attempting to hire a residential radon contractor or general plumber for commercial work typically leads to inadequate results. Commercial radon mitigation demands a level of understanding that is commensurate to a commercial vapor Intrusion mitigation system. A deep bench understanding of building science, experience with large-scale soil gas management and AARST NRPP or PE-signed and sealed designs are all prerequisites for an effective commercial radon mitigation system .
Understanding Radon in Commercial Settings
Radon enters commercial buildings through the same pathways as any other soil gas: foundation cracks, construction joints, utility penetrations, elevator pits, and areas where the building contacts soil. However, commercial buildings often have additional risk factors:
Larger footprints and more preferential pathways mean more potential entry points and greater variation in radon concentrations across different areas.
Below-grade spaces like basements, loading docks, and underground parking structures where radon naturally accumulates
Stack effect in tall buildings can create significant negative pressure at lower levels, actively pulling radon and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the soil
Older construction may lack vapor barriers or have deteriorated foundation systems
The health risk compounds with exposure time. If your employees work in a building with elevated radon levels for 40+ hours per week over years, their cumulative exposure can be substantial. This is precisely why the EPA recommends action when radon levels exceed 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L)—and some states have even lower thresholds for schools and commercial spaces.
The Four-Phase Approach to Commercial Radon Mitigation
At Clean Vapor, we’ve developed a comprehensive methodology refined over 38+ years and more than 30 million square feet of successfully mitigated buildings:
Diagnose: Understanding Your Building’s Radon Profile
Effective mitigation begins with thorough testing and assessment. For commercial properties, this means:
Comprehensive radon testing across multiple floors and zones, not just a single test kit
Soil gas assessment to understand the source strength and pathway analysis
Building pressure diagnostics to identify how HVAC operation and weather conditions affect radon entry
Foundation and structural evaluation to locate primary entry routes
This diagnostic phase is critical because commercial buildings are never truly identical, even within the same development. Soil conditions, construction methods, and building usage patterns all influence radon levels and the optimal mitigation approach.
Design: Engineering Site-Specific Solutions
There is no one-size-fits-all solution in commercial radon mitigation. Each system must be custom-engineered based on the diagnostic findings, building characteristics, and performance requirements. Our AARST NRPP and PE-signed and sealed designs account for:
Sub-slab depressurization systems – The gold standard for most commercial applications, creating negative pressure beneath the foundation to capture and vent radon before it enters occupied spaces
Zone-specific strategies – Large buildings may require multiple mitigation systems targeting different areas or levels
Integration with existing systems – Ensuring the radon mitigation system works in harmony with HVAC, fire suppression, and other building systems
Vapor barrier assessment – Determining whether existing barriers are adequate or if enhanced gas-resistant membranes are needed
Tom Hatton, Clean Vapor’s founder, helped write the ANSI/AARST standards that govern vapor intrusion mitigation. This industry leadership translates directly into designs that meet or exceed all regulatory requirements while delivering reliable, long-term performance.
Build: Professional Installation by Trained Specialists
Design excellence means nothing without equally excellent installation. Commercial radon mitigation requires:
Specialized equipment sized appropriately for commercial applications—not residential-grade fans trying to do commercial work
Minimal operational disruption through careful coordination and phased implementation
Quality materials including commercial-grade metal or PVC piping, high-capacity inline fans, and proper sealing materials
Trained technicians who understand commercial construction and can navigate complex existing conditions
We’ve completed over 500 passive vapor intrusion mitigation systems in new construction with zero failures requiring conversion to active systems—a track record that speaks to both design and installation excellence.
Monitor: Ensuring Long-Term Performance
Installing a radon mitigation system isn’t the end of the story. Commercial buildings require ongoing monitoring to ensure continued protection:
Initial verification testing confirms the system has reduced radon to acceptable levels throughout the building
Telemetric monitoring systems like our exclusive Vapor Guardian technology provide real-time data on system performance, alerting facility managers immediately if pressure differentials change or fans fail
Response-driven controls automatically adjust system operation based on changing conditions, ensuring optimal performance while minimizing energy consumption
Annual inspections verify the physical condition of system components and compliance with warranty requirements
This monitoring phase provides building owners with documentation of ongoing compliance—critical evidence if questions ever arise about occupant safety.
Regulatory Compliance and Standards
The regulatory landscape for commercial radon varies by state and building type, but awareness and enforcement are increasing. Some states require:
Mandatory radon testing for schools and childcare facilities
Disclosure of known radon levels in real estate transactions
Mitigation when levels exceed state-specific action thresholds
Professional certification for anyone conducting commercial mitigation work
Additionally, brownfield redevelopment projects—where commercial buildings are constructed on formerly contaminated sites—often face stringent vapor intrusion requirements that encompass both radon and other VOCs. These projects require comprehensive vapor intrusion mitigation systems (VIMS) that address multiple soil gases simultaneously.
ANSI/AARST standards provide nationally recognized protocols for radon and vapor intrusion mitigation. Systems designed and installed to these standards offer property owners the strongest defense against both health risks and liability concerns.
When Radon Mitigation Is Critical for Commercial Properties
Certain scenarios demand immediate attention:
Buildings with documented elevated radon levels – If testing reveals concentrations above 4.0 pCi/L, mitigation is essential
Properties with known soil contamination – Brownfield sites or properties near industrial areas where VOCs may be present alongside radon
Buildings undergoing renovation – Major construction presents an ideal opportunity to integrate mitigation systems
Properties with below-grade occupied spaces – Basements, ground-floor retail, or garden-level offices where radon naturally concentrates
Acquisitions and due diligence – Smart buyers test for radon before purchasing commercial property to avoid inheriting a costly problem
The Cost of Inaction
Some property owners hesitate to address radon due to perceived costs. However, consider the alternative:
Health liability if occupants develop radon-related illness
Workers’ compensation claims from employees exposed to documented hazards
Property value impact when elevated radon levels become known
Tenant relations and potential lease terminations
Regulatory fines in jurisdictions with mandatory testing and mitigation requirements
Professional radon mitigation is an investment in occupant health, property value, and legal protection. With Clean Vapor’s 1+ year warranties and proven track record across 500+ successful projects, you gain peace of mind that the job is done right.
Why Clean Vapor for Commercial Radon Mitigation
With 38+ years of experience solely focused on vapor intrusion and radon mitigation, Clean Vapor brings unmatched expertise to commercial projects:
100+ years of combined team experience means we’ve encountered and solved virtually every commercial mitigation challenge
PE-signed and sealed designs through Clean Vapor Engineering, P.C. meet the highest professional standards
ANSI/AARST certified professionals ensure compliance with industry best practices
Site-specific solutions tailored to your building’s unique characteristics—never cookie-cutter approaches
Total systems approach from diagnosis through long-term monitoring
Family-owned values of honesty, integrity, and genuine care for protecting human health
We don’t just install fans and hope for the best. We engineer comprehensive solutions backed by rigorous testing, proper design, professional installation, and ongoing verification.
Protecting Your Building and Its Occupants
Radon mitigation in commercial buildings isn’t optional—it’s a fundamental responsibility for anyone who owns or manages property where people work, shop, or spend significant time. The invisible nature of radon makes it easy to ignore, but the health consequences are very real.
Whether you’re dealing with documented elevated radon levels, planning a brownfield redevelopment, or simply want to ensure your building provides a safe environment, professional mitigation delivers results you can measure and verify.
At Clean Vapor, protecting human health through better indoor air quality isn’t just our tagline—it’s our singular focus and the reason we come to work every day. Let us bring three and a half decades of expertise to your commercial radon challenge.
Ready to address radon in your commercial building?
Email us at info@cleanvapor.com or schedule a meeting to discuss your specific situation. We’ll conduct a thorough assessment, engineer a site-specific solution, and deliver a system backed by our guarantee and proven track record. Your occupants’ health and your property’s value deserve nothing less than expert attention.
