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Applied Sciences
Volume 15
Issue 22
10.3390/app152212106
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Assessing the Effect of Insulation Materials Used for Energy Conservation in Buildings on Indoor Radon—The Scale Model Room Approach

by
Ilaria Rocchetti
1,
Manuela Portaro
1,
Paola Tuccimei
1,*,
Gianfranco Galli
2,
Michele Soligo
1,
Cristina Longoni
3 and
Dino Vasquez
3
1
Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, 00146 Roma, Italy
2
Istituto Nazionale Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma 1, 00143 Roma, Italy
3
Mapei S.p.A., Waterproofing Line, 20158 Milano, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(22), 12106; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152212106
Submission received: 25 September 2025 / Revised: 7 November 2025 / Accepted: 13 November 2025 / Published: 14 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sciences)
Versions Notes

Abstract

This study investigates how external insulation materials used for energy efficiency affect indoor radon accumulation, using a scale model room built with ignimbrite, a highly radon-emitting volcanic rock. Two insulation materials—mineral wool (open-cell, 98% porosity) and extruded polystyrene (XPS, closed-cell, >95%)—were applied to the outer walls of the model room. Their effects were tested in combination with three internal radon barriers (silane-terminated membrane, silicone sealant, bitumen membrane) and under varying ventilation rates (0.11 h−1 and 0.44 h−1). Radon concentrations were measured using calibrated detectors over five experimental phases. Without ventilation, XPS increased indoor radon by up to +351%, while mineral wool showed a milder effect (+26%). The silicone sealant reduced radon by up to 90%, outperforming other barriers. Ventilation significantly lowered radon levels, simulating the “flushing” effect of wind. The combination of impermeable insulation and lack of air exchange led to the highest radon accumulation. High-performance insulation can compromise indoor air quality by trapping radon, especially in buildings with high geogenic radon potential. Effective mitigation requires pairing insulation with high-performing radon barriers and adequate ventilation. These findings highlight the need to balance energy efficiency with indoor environmental safety.
Keywords: energy efficiency; thermal renovation; insulation materials; indoor radon; indoor pollution; anti-radon membranes; scale model room; flushing effect of wind energy efficiency; thermal renovation; insulation materials; indoor radon; indoor pollution; anti-radon membranes; scale model room; flushing effect of wind

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Rocchetti, I.; Portaro, M.; Tuccimei, P.; Galli, G.; Soligo, M.; Longoni, C.; Vasquez, D. Assessing the Effect of Insulation Materials Used for Energy Conservation in Buildings on Indoor Radon—The Scale Model Room Approach. Appl. Sci. 2025, 15, 12106. https://doi.org/10.3390/app152212106

AMA Style

Rocchetti I, Portaro M, Tuccimei P, Galli G, Soligo M, Longoni C, Vasquez D. Assessing the Effect of Insulation Materials Used for Energy Conservation in Buildings on Indoor Radon—The Scale Model Room Approach. Applied Sciences. 2025; 15(22):12106. https://doi.org/10.3390/app152212106

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rocchetti, Ilaria, Manuela Portaro, Paola Tuccimei, Gianfranco Galli, Michele Soligo, Cristina Longoni, and Dino Vasquez. 2025. "Assessing the Effect of Insulation Materials Used for Energy Conservation in Buildings on Indoor Radon—The Scale Model Room Approach" Applied Sciences 15, no. 22: 12106. https://doi.org/10.3390/app152212106

APA Style

Rocchetti, I., Portaro, M., Tuccimei, P., Galli, G., Soligo, M., Longoni, C., & Vasquez, D. (2025). Assessing the Effect of Insulation Materials Used for Energy Conservation in Buildings on Indoor Radon—The Scale Model Room Approach. Applied Sciences, 15(22), 12106. https://doi.org/10.3390/app152212106

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