• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2018.05a
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• pp.232-233
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• 2018

Among the recent environmental pollution, indoor air pollution has an adverse effect on the health of indoor residents. Radon, one of the causes of indoor air pollution, is released from concrete, gypsum board and asbestos slate among building materials. Radon is a primary carcinogen and is a colorless, tasteless, odorless inert gas that adheres to airborne dust and enters the body through breathing. At this time, there is a risk of developing cancer if the alpha rays from the lononggas entering the human body destroys the lung tissue and is continuously exposed to a high concentration of lonon gas. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the reduction of radon and its exposure to radon by classifying it as a first-level carcinogen, but many people have not recognized it yet, and the research is underdeveloped. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the properties of adsorbed coconut radon to prevent the inflow of radon gas, which is an air pollution source of indoor air, and to prevent inflow into the human body.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.61-70
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this research was to examine radon exposure in terms of the relationship between the living environment and indoor radon concentrations among vulnerable households. Methods: Nationwide, 1,129 subjects were selected using personal questionnaires for adequately understanding the living environment, installation of E-PERM radon gas detectors, and investigation of the structure of the housing. Results: The mean concentration of indoor radon for all subjects was $130.2Bq/m^3$ (GM=101.7), and a total of 438 subjects (38.8%) exceeded the recommended standards ($148Bq/m^3$) for public facilities by the Ministry of the Environment. By location, the highest concentrations ($164.3Bq/m^3$, GM=124.1) were seen in North Chungcheong Province. In the case of the Seoul/Gyeonggi Province metropolitan area, they showed $125.6Bq/m^3$ (GM=105.1) and $118.9Bq/m^3$ (GM=96.5), respectively. By type of housing, indoor radon concentrations in single-family housing were higher than in row/multi-family housing (p<0.01). Although indoor radon concentrations raised in accordance with year of construction (p<0.05), the difference between indoor radon concentrations in underground residences was not observed to be statistically significant (p=0.633). Conclusion: More studies are necessary in the future regarding the difference in indoor radon concentrations that may occur due to different of types of indoor construction, building materials, and the amount of building materials.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2020

Controlling the quality of indoor air is important in order to maintain a healthy life. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the hazardous substance concentration of indoor air and circulation based on different ventilation methods in the apartment, which is one of the representative housing types in Korea. As target substances, we considered the hazardous substances which are generated during the cooking process and radon gas which is originated from building materials. We measured the concentrations of carbon dioxide and fine particles in relation to type of food and ventilation methods in order to determine the change in the concentration levels of hazardous substances which are generated during the cooking process. On the other hand, we measured the concentration of radon gas before and after letting fresh air into a room through windows in order to determine the change in the concentration level of radon gas which is originated from building materials. The results show that turning on the ventilation fan plays a major role in reducing the concentration levels of hazardous substances in the kitchen, and that it is more effective to turn on the ventilation fan during cooking than after cooking to prevent the diffusion of hazardous materials produced by cooking through the indoor air. Also, the results indicate that letting fresh air into a room through windows more than one time a day is necessary to reduce the concentration level of radon gas in the room to safe concentration range.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.286-295
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• 2022

In this study, the concentration distribution of indoor radon in Daejeon Metropolitan City was investigated and the reduction efficiency was evaluated by applying the radon reduction methods. Based on the results of the National Institute of Environmental Research, indoor radon measurements were conducted on 24 selected houses, and the average value of District A was 261 Bq/m3, far exceeding the standard, and even in the same house, indoor radon concentration was affected by measurement point and time. In the case of eight houses that applied the soil venting method to reduce radon, the indoorradon level was significantly lowerthan the standard value, and the average reduction efficiency was also around 55%, indicating a good reduction effect. In addition, the average reduction efficiency was around 90% in the two houses that carried out the shielding method, showing the very excellent effect of the indoorradon reduction. Even if the same reduction method is applied when reducing radon, the reduction efficiency may vary depending on various factors such as the structure of the building, the frequency of ventilation, and the season, so it is necessary to accurately evaluate the effectiveness of the reduction method in the future. Based on this, it is necessary to establish indoor radon management measures in Daejeon Metropolitan City to reduce human harm caused by radon exposure.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.399-408
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• 2001

The variation characteristics of radon concentration, equilibrium equivalent concentration and equilibrium factor in some houses and laboratory buildings have been studied. The variation of equilibrium factor and the unattached fraction of radon progeny with ventilation condition have been also estimated. The averages of radon concentration, equilibrium equivalent concentration and equilibrium factor were $30\;Bq\;m^{-3},\;19.6\;Bq\;m^{-3}$ and 0.65 in seven houses, while $55.0\;Bq\;m^{-3},\;31.9\;Bq\;m^{-3}$ and 0.58 in three laboratory buildings, respectively. The diurnal variation of radon concentration, equilibrium equivalent concentration and equilibrium factor in indoor showed a typical pattern that the radon concentration, equilibrium equivalent concentration and equilibrium factor increased at dawn and morning, while decreased at midday and evening. While the equilibrium factor rate deceased in the indoor environment which was well ventilated, the unattached traction of radon progeny increased. The equilibrium factor was in proportion to air pressure and humidity of indoor, whereas in Inverse proportion to temperature.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.330-338
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• 2021

Background: This study was conducted to provide background information for the proper management of radon contamination in apartments using mechanical ventilation facilities in residential environments. Objectives: To this end, this study compared and evaluated changes in radon concentrations based on different operating intensities of mechanical ventilation with or without natural ventilation. Methods: For the continuous measurement of radon concentrations, an RAD7 instrument was installed in four apartments equipped with a ventilation system. The measurements were done for comparison of ventilation types and different ventilation intensities ("high", "middle", "low"). Results: The results confirmed that both mechanical and natural ventilation sufficiently reduced the radon concentration in the apartments. In particular, mechanical ventilation at "high" intensity was the most effective. Natural ventilation combined with mechanical ventilation and then natural ventilation alone were the second and the third most effective, respectively. Conclusions: When using ventilation to reduce indoor radon concentrations, it is most effective to operate mechanical ventilation ("high") or natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation at the same time. In cases where mechanical ventilation is available alone, it is recommended to operate it at a minimum of "middle" intensity.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.121-126
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• 2002

The work presents a realistic human exposure assessment of indoor radon released from groundwater in a house. At first, a two-compartment model is developed to describe the generation and transfer of radon in indoor air from groundwater. The model is used to estimate radon concentrations profile of indoor air in a house us]ng by showering, washing clothes, and flushing toilets. Then, the study performs an uncertainty analysis of model input parameters to quantify the uncertainty in radon concentration profile. In order to estimate a daily internal dose of a specific tissue group in an adult through the inhalation of such indoor radon, 3 PBPK(Physiologically-Based Pharmaco-Kinetic) model is developed. Combining indoor radon profile and PBPK model is used to a realistic human assessment for such exposure. The results obtained from this study would be used to the evaluation of human risk by inhalation associated with the indoor radon released from groundwater.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.1306-1312
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• 2011

Underground Subway station's air pollutants are introduced from the indoor or outdoor. And Radon is a major pollutant in the subway station. Radioactive substances Radon is occuring naturally in granite tunnel wall and underground water. Especially inert gas Radon that causes lung cancer in human is anywhere but 5678 S.M.R.T. tunnels deep and pass through the granite plaque have a lot of Radon. The Radon concentration is determined by the following reasons : radon content of soil and concrete, underground water, ventilation, pressure difference, building structure, temperature, etc. So Radon concentration is hard to predict. And we can't only ventilate owing to era of high oil prices. This study focuses on our efforts for the reduction of Radon concentration. And the purpose is to provide basically datas of specially managed 15 subway station's Radon concentration.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.355.2-355
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• 2002

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2018.05a
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• pp.226-227
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• 2018

Recently, as the interest of the government and the public on energy saving has increased, the airtightness of buildings has been improved to improve the insulation performance of buildings. However, indoor air pollution due to increase of pollution source in indoor space and lack of ventilation is increasing and interest in indoor air quality is increasing. In 2003, the Ministry of Environment enacted and promulgated the Act on Indoor Air Quality Control in Multi-use Facilities. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive inert gas with colorless, tasteless and odorless nature. The concentration is high in a room where radon can not escape. Although lononggas is naturally occurring, it is not interested in living environment, but it is easily inhaled through human body through respiration and causes lung cancer in long-term exposure. Therefore, this study intends to carry out an experiment for the reduction of radon gas, which is the first carcinogen in indoor air pollution sources.