• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.505-529
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• 2022

Radon is a radioactive gas that causes lung cancer deaths. The contingent valuation method (CVM) is used to estimate the value of a statistical life(VSL) of 2.054 billion won for the death due to residential radon in Korea. Residential radon is assumed to have caused 2,330 deaths in 2020, of which the estimated social cost is 4.78 trillion won. When a national compulsory standard of 200Bq/m³ is set for residential radon concentration, the number of lives saved is estimated to be 691, leading to a social benefit of 1.42 billion won. This study reports the origin, characteristics and health risk of residential radon, and emphasizes the importance of a dramatic increase in the budget for residential radon reduction policies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2459-2465
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• 2012

Background: Numbers of epidemiological studies assessing residential radon exposure and risk of lung cancer have yielded inconsistent results. Methods: We therefore performed a meta-analysis of relevant published case-control studies searched in the PubMed database through July 2011 to examine the association. The combined odds ratio (OR) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models. Subgroup and dose-response analyses were also performed. Results: We identified 22 case-control studies of residential radon and lung cancer risk involving 13,380 cases and 21,102 controls. The combined OR of lung cancer for the highest with the lowest exposure was 1.29 (95% CI 1.10-1.51). Dose-response analysis showed that every 100 Bq/$m^3$ increment in residential radon exposure was associated with a significant 7% increase in lung cancer risk. Subgroup analysis displayed a more pronounced association in the studies conducted in Europe. Studies restricted to female or non-smokers demonstrated weakened associations between exposure and lung cancer. Conclusions: This meta-analysis provides new evidence supporting the conclusion that residential exposure to radon can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer in a dose-response manner.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.21-28
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• 2001

Naturally-ocurring short-lived decay products of radon gas in indoor air are the dominant source of ionizing radiation exposure to the general public. It is written in BEIR VI Report(l999l the radon progeny were identified as the second cause of lung cancer next to cigarette or 10 % to 14 %(15,400 to 21,800 persons p.a.) of all lung cancer deaths in USA. Indoor radon concentrations in houses typically result from radon gaining access to houses mainly from the underlying soil. In the States, they have "Indoor Radon Abatement Act" which was converted from "Toxic Substance Control Act" in 1988 to establish the national long-term goal that indoor air should be as free of radon as the ambient air outside of buildings. To review and study techniques for controlling radon, two test cells were constructed for a series of tests and are under measuring indoor and soil gas (underneath of floor slab)radon concentrations according to EPA's measurement protocol. In this paper, important theoretical studies are previewed and the following paper will explain the test results and confirm the theories reviewed to find out suitable coefficients. On the basis of test analysis, it will be described and evaluated various techniques that can be used to mitigate elevated indoor concentration of radon including the control of radon and its decay products.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.155-161
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• 2015

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and a major indoor contribution of exposure to ionizing radiation in dwellings. $^{222}Rn$ is a health hazard gas what is responsible for thousand lung cancer deaths every year. In this study, indoor radon concentrations present in thirty representative houses in Mahallat city, Iran, were determined in order to estimate lung cancer risk associated with residential radon exposure. Long-term passive method, using CR-39, was used to measure the radon concentration. The results showed an association between the age of the dwellings and the indoor radon concentration that was found, in that the concentration of radon tended to increase as the age of the dwelling also increased. The indoor radon concentrations were calculated to be within the range of $23{\pm}2$ to $350{\pm}26Bq{\cdot}m^{-3}$, with an average of $158Bq{\cdot}m^{-3}$. The annual effective dose from inhaled radon and its decay products was calculated between $0.8{\pm}0.1$ and $12.3{\pm}0.9mSv{\cdot}y^{-1}$, with an average of $5.5mSv{\cdot}y^{-1}$. By taking into consideration the EPA recommendation and ICRP statement, the average annual risk of lung cancer from inhaled radon was calculated as 0.09%, 0.06%, 0.01%, and 0.03% for current smokers (CS), those who had ever smoked (ES), never smokers (NS) and the general population, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2017

Objectives: Radon may be second only to smoking as a cause of lung cancer. Radon is a colorless, tasteless radioactive gas that is formed via the radioactive decay of radium. Therefore, radon levels can build up based on the amount of radium contained in construction materials such as phospho-gypsum board or when ventilation rates are low. This study provides our findings from evaluation of radon gas at facilities and offices in an industrial complex. Methods: We evaluated the office rooms and processes of 12 manufacturing factories from May 14, 2014 to September 23, 2014. Short-term data were measured by using real-time monitoring detectors(Model 1030, Sun Nuclear Co., USA) indoors in the office buildings. The radon measurements were recorded at 30-minute intervals over approximately 48 hours. The limit of detection of this instrument is $3.7Bq/m^3$. Also, long-term data were measured by using ${\alpha}-track$ radon detectors(${\alpha}-track$, Rn-tech Co., Korea) in the office and factory buildings. Our detectors were exposed for over 90 days, resulting in a minimum detectable concentration of $7.4Bq/m^3$. Detectors were placed 150-220 cm above the floor. Results: Radon concentrations averaged $20.6{\pm}17.0Bq/m^3$($3.7-115.8Bq/m^3$) in the overall area. The monthly mean concentration of radon by building materials were in the order of gypsum>concrete>cement. Radon concentrations were measured using ${\alpha}-track$ in parallel with direct-reading radon detectors and the two metric methods for radon monitoring were compared. A t-test for the two sampling methods showed that there is no difference between the average radon concentrations(p<0.05). Most of the office buildings did not have central air-conditioning, but several rooms had window- or ceiling-mounted units. Employees could also open windows. The first, second and third floors were used mainly for office work. Conclusions: Radon levels measured during this assessment in the office rooms of buildings and processes in factories were well below the ICRP reference level of $1,000Bq/m^3$ for workplaces and also below the lower USEPA residential guideline of $148Bq/m^3$. The range of indoor annual effective dose due to radon exposure for workers working in the office and factory buildings was 0.01 to 1.45 mSv/yr. Construction materials such as phospho-gypsum board, concrete and cement were the main emission sources for workers' exposure.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.425-431
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• 2021

Background: This study evaluated the radon contribution rate through an evaluation of the exhalation rate of radon from building materials. Objectives: This study compared and evaluated the computation of the radon contribution rate based on each different exhalation rate in a building. Methods: The six demonstration houses that are the subject of this study are wall structures or Rahmen structures, and include demonstration houses similar to general residential environments and non-finishing houses with some walls exposed. Results: The highest exhalation rate was found at 62.98 Bq/m² per day from the non-finishing floor, and the second highest exhalation rate was from stone materials at 58.76 Bq/m² per day. Based on this result, investigating the contribution rate of building materials derived from building materials among indoor radon concentrations, house three was the highest at 81.7%, and house one was confirmed to be 33.96%. Conclusions: It can be judged that the effect of exposed concrete and stone is high, and that it is possible to reduce radon emitted from indoor building structures by controlling the indoor materials.

• Journal of health informatics and statistics
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2017

Objectives: Radon and its progeny pose environmental risks as a carcinogen, especially to the lungs. Investigating factors affecting indoor radon concentrations and models thereof are needed to prevent exposure to radon and to reduce indoor radon concentrations. The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting indoor radon concentration and to construct a comprehensive model thereof. Methods: Questionnaires were administered to obtain data on residential environments, including building materials and life style. Decision tree and structural equation modeling were applied to predict residences at risk for higher radon concentrations and to develop the comprehensive model. Results: Greenery ratio, impermeable layer ratio, residence at ground level, daily ventilation, long-term heating, crack around the measuring device, and bedroom were significantly shown to be predictive factors of higher indoor radon concentrations. Daily ventilation reduced the probability of homes having indoor radon concentrations ${\geq}200Bq/m^3$ by 11.6%. Meanwhile, a greenery ratio ${\geq}65%$ without daily ventilation increased this probability by 15.3% compared to daily ventilation. The constructed model indicated greenery ratio and ventilation rate directly affecting indoor radon concentrations. Conclusions: Our model highlights the combined influences of geographical properties, groundwater, and lifestyle factors of an individual resident on indoor radon concentrations in Korea.

• 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 Cancer Prevention
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.234-240
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• 2017

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, for which smoking is considered as the primary risk factor. The present study was conducted to determine whether genetic alterations induced by radon exposure are associated with the susceptible risk of lung cancer in never smokers. Methods: To accurately identify mutations within individual tumors, next generation sequencing was conduct for 19 pairs of lung cancer tissue. The associations of germline and somatic variations with radon exposure were visualized using OncoPrint and heatmap graphs. Bioinformatic analysis was performed using various tools. Results: Alterations in several genes were implicated in lung cancer resulting from exposure to radon indoors, namely those in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), tumor protein p53 (TP53), NK2 homeobox 1 (NKX2.1), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 7 (CHD7), discoidin domain receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (DDR2), lysine methyltransferase 2C (MLL3), chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 5 (CHD5), FAT atypical cadherin 1 (FAT1), and dual specificity phosphatase 27 (putative) (DUSP27). Conclusions: While these genes might regulate the carcinogenic pathways of radioactivity, further analysis is needed to determine whether the genes are indeed completely responsible for causing lung cancer in never smokers exposed to residential radon.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.361-361
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• 2002