Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology

The Korean Society of Environmental Health and Toxicology (환경독성보건학회)
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Evaluation of Radon Levels in Various Public-acess Buildings or Underground Facilities, and Their Temporal Variation in Underground Facilities

다중 이용 건물 또는 지하 실내 공간의 용도에 따른 라돈 오염도 비교와 지하 공간의 시간대별 라돈 농도 변화

  • Choi, Im-Cho (Daegu Health and Environment Research Institute) ;
  • Shin, Seung-Ho (Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Jo, Wan-Kuen (Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University)
  • Published : 2009.09.30
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Abstract

A lesser degree of research is available with respect to indoor radon characteristics associated with occupants' exposure. The present study evaluated the radon levels in several public-access buildings or underground facilities, and their temporal variation in underground facilities. Radon measurements were conducted in 2005 and 2006, utilizing a continuous radon detector. A solid alpha detector (RAD7) was utilized to measure indoor radon levels. The mean radon concentrations obtained from the building or facilities were in a descending order: platforms of Daegu subway line 2, 2005 (32 $Bq/m^3$), hot-air bathroom (14 $Bq/m^3$), basement of office building (14 $Bq/m^3$), underground parking garage (14 $Bq/m^3$), underground shop (12 $Bq/m^3$), nursery (10 $Bq/m^3$), platforms of Daegu subway line 2, 2006 (9.0 $Bq/m^3$), platforms of Daegu subway line 1, 2006 (8.9 $Bq/m^3$), supermarket (7.9 $Bq/m^3$), hospital (7.3 $Bq/m^3$), and second-floor of office building (5.7 $Bq/m^3$). In general, underground-level facilities exhibited higher radon levels as compared with ground-level facilities. It was suggested that ventilation is an important parameter regarding the indoor levels of a subway. There was a decreasing or increasing trend in hourly-radon levels in a subway, whereas no trend were observed in a basement of office building. In addition, the radon levels in the subway lines 1 and 2 varied according to the platforms. The radon levels in the present study were much lower than those of previous studies. The average annual effective dose (AED) of radiation from indoor radon exposure was estimated to be between 0.043 and 0.242 mSv/yr, depending on facility types. These AEDs were substantially lower than the worldwide average AED (2.4 mSv/yr).

Keywords

References

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