• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.333-351
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• 2017

Objectives: This study examines the relationships between indoor radon concentrations and distribution from soil geological mapping in the Hwacheon and Jangsu areas. Methods: GIS and a pivot table were used for inquiries about indoor radon contents, soil characteristics, and geological differences. Results: The Hwacheon area was characterized by the presence of normal and reverse faults as a passage of runoff for radon, sufficient occurrences of minerals containing uranium within granite as a radon source, a high concentration of radon within the granite area and clear differences of radon concentrations between granitic and metamorphic areas. The Jangsu area was characterized by the presence of normal faults, wide distributions of alluvium, and ambiguities on radon concentrations indoors among areas of geological differences. Considering the granite area and alluvium surrounded with granite areas, the characteristics of radon concentrations within soils and indoors in the Jangsu area are similar to those of the Hwacheon area. High concentrations are found with entisol and inceptisol in the Hawcheon area, but with entisol, inceptisol, and ultisol in the Jangsu area. High radon concentrations are found in sandy loam and/or loam. High concentrations are found in recently constructed or brick buildings, but low concentrations in traditional or prefabricated houses showing a high possibility of outward flow. Conclusions: The overall results suggest that radon concentrations in the Hwacheon and Jangsu area are dominantly influenced by geological characteristics with additional artificial influences.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.397-412
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• 1996

This study aims to present the fundamental strategies to improve the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in apartment buildings. To investigate the concentration of indoor air pollutants such as radon, formaldehyde, and VOCs, both the document survey and the field measurement were conducted. In addition, to identify the source of the air pollutants, the laboratory experiment was carried out for various building materials. Finally, the minimum period to be reserved befor3e building occupation to ensure healthy IAQ, which largely depends on the ventilation rates, was simulated using a simple compuer program. The results of this study can be summarized as follows: 1. In case of newly-constructed apartment houses, concentrations of formaldehyde, VOCs and radon were found to exceed the standard. Meanwhile, at existing apartment houses, concentrations of VOCs, particularly toluene and xylene, highly exceeded the standasrd level. Concentrations of formaldehyde and radon, however, had been lowered according to the duration of occupation. 2. The laboratory experiment of concentration of pollutants per square meter of building material surface area showed that radon gas was much emitted from the gypsumboard; formaldehyde from flooring and wallpaper; and VOCs from paints and kitchen furnishings. The emission rates of formaldehyde and VOCs were proportional to air temperature. 3. According to the simulation of the minimum period to be reserved before occupation, newly-constructed airtight houses required about 190-200 days, and naturally ventialted houses with fully-open-windows required about 20-45days, in order to keep the level of radon gas lower than standard. Therefore, with the current practice, the date of occupation should be delayed for about 15 days.

• 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 Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.345-351
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• 2016

Objectives: The objective of this study was to conduct risk assessment using indoor radon concentration and exposure times. Methods: The target facilities were military facilities before and after the application of radon reduction processes and underground commercial facilities in major subway stations in Seoul. Indoor radon concentrations were measured by passive sampler. Results: Radon concentrations in 13 military facilities were initially higher than the guidelines, but the levels were below guidelines after the application of radon reduction processes. Underground shopping mall radon concentrations near subway stations in Seoul satisfied the guidelines. However, indoor radon effective doses after radon reduction processes in some military facilities and those in underground shopping malls belonged to International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) groups needing control management. Conclusion: Indoor radon management requires risk assessment data that takes into account working time (or residence time) in addition to management according to concentration guidelines.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.89-98
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• 2002

This study was taken in general hospital, hotel, shopping center, underground cafe, school, house, for the purpose of investigating the distribution of indoor radon concentration in urban area, by E-PERM which approved U.S. EPA, between August and November 1999. There are two sampling Places were exceed 148 ㏃/㎥(4 pCi/L; U.S EPA remedial level), difference mean is 24.0㏃/㎥ when compared with underground vs. aboveground indoor radon concentration in the same building and ratio is 1.6, so underground area is higher than aboveground (p<0.05). Influencing factors were examined. They related to the location of sampler(detector) open or near the door is lower radon concentration than inside portion, which explains probably open area has better ventilated air and dilutes indoor radon concentration. Temperature has a negative relationship (p<0.05) with indoor radon concentration and relative humidity has a positive (p<0.05) Simultaneously to investigate water radon concentration, collected piped-water and the results were very low, which is the same in piped-water concentration other countries. In conclusion, underground indoor radon concentration is higher than aboveground. Concentration was related to sampling spot, open portion is lower than inside. Higher the temperature, lower the indoor radon concentrations. On the other hand higher the relative humidity, higher the indoor radon concentrations. Indoor radon concentration is influenced by sampling point, temperature, relative humidity.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2020.11a
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• pp.143-144
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• 2020

For modern people who spend 80% of the day indoors, indoor air quality is an important factor in their lives. Radon and fine dust, which are indoor air quality pollutants, cause various diseases and lung diseases, so a method is needed to reduce them. Therefore, this study intends to utilize the air pollutant adsorption properties of the carbonized sludge by using the carbonized sludge generated through drying and carbonization of the sludge. As a result of the experiment, it was shown that the concentration of radon and fine dust gradually decreased as the replacement ratio of carbonized sludge increased. The reason is that the carbonized sludge has the ability to adsorb fine dust and radon, so it is considered that it gradually decreases as the replacement ratio increases. Also, the compressive strength and flexural strength tend to decrease gradually. The reason for this is that the carbonized sludge has a number of internal voids, and as the replacement ratio increases, the internal voids increase and the strength decreases. If the refinement and strength of the carbonized sludge replacement ratio are supplemented, it is believed that it will be able to replace the existing finishing materials.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.243-252
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• 2005

Purpose: Indoor air quality (IAQ) in the radiation treatment center which is generally located underground is important to the health of hospital workers and patients treated over a long period of time. this study was conducted to measure and analyze the factors related to IAQ and subjective symptoms of sick building syndrome, and to establish the causes influencing IAQ and find a solution to the problems. Methods and Materials : Self administrated questionnaire was conducted to check the workers' symptoms and understanding of the work environment. Based on a preliminary investigation, the factors related to IAQ such as temperature, humidity, fine particulate. carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), and radon gas were selected and measured for a certain period of time in specific sites where hospital workers stay long in a day. And we also evaluated the surrounding environment and the efficiency of the ventilating system simultaneously, and measured the same factors at the first floor (outdoor) to compare with outdoor all quality, All collected data were assessed by the recommended standard for IAQ of the domestic and international environmental organizations. Results: Hospital workers were discontented with foul odors, humidity and particulate. They complained symptoms related to musculo-skeletal system, neurologic system, and mucosal-irritatation. Most of the factors were not greater than the recommended standard, but the level of TVOC was third or fourth times as much as the measuring level of some offices in the United States. The frequency and the amount of the ventilating system were adequate, however, the problem arising in the position of outdoor-air inlets and indoor-air outlets involved a risk of the indraft of contaminated air. A careful attention was a requirement in handling and keeping chemical substances including a developing solution which has a risk of TVOC emissions, and repositioning the ventilating system was needed to solve the contaminated-air circulation immediately Conclusion We verified that some IAQ-related factors and inadequate ventilating system could cause subjective symptoms in hospital workers. The evaluation of IAQ was surely needed to improve the underground working environments for hospital workers and patients. On the basis of these data, from now on, we should actively engage in designs of the department of radiation oncology or improvement in environments of the existing facilities.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1001-1010
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to investigate the concentration levels of particle materials ($PM_{10}$, asbestos), gas materials ($CO_2$, CO, $NO_2$, HCHO, Rn, VOCs) and total suspended colony (TSC), and the correlations among these materials in indoor air quality of 54 multiple-use facilities and 15 public-use facilities of Gwangju. The highest mean concentration of $PM_{10}$ was $69.2\;{\mu}g/m^3$ at indoor parking place, followed by childcare facilities, large commercial building and subway station building. The highest mean concentration of CO was 2.7 ppm at indoor parking place and that of $CO_2$ was 604.1 ppm at medical service facilities. The highest mean concentration of $NO_2$ was 0.036 ppm at indoor parking place. The geomean concentration of HCHO was $3.6\;{\mu}g/m^3$ in all facilities and the highest was $631.8\;{\mu}g/m^3$ at art gallery. The geomean concentration of VOCs (5 species) was $24.14\;{\mu}g/m^3$ in all facilities and toluene was the highest material of $15.30\;{\mu}g/m^3$, followed by xylene, ethylbenzene, benzene and styrene. The highest mean concentration of TSC was $625.3\;CFU/m^3$ at jjimjilbang, followed by childcare facilities, medical service facilities and large commercial building. The highest of asbestos was 0.0072 each/cc at childcare facilities and that of radon was 1.41 pCi/L at art gallery. PM10 showed positive correlations to TSC with $R^2\0.5332$ by lognormal equation at childcare facilities. CO2 showed positive correlations to CO at childcare facilities and indoor parking place. Lognormal equation fitted to the VOCs data more than normal equation in all facilities.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.264-275
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to offer basic and scientific data for decision-making of policy for improvement and management of radon, natural radiation gas, in Korea and to form the foundation of radon related international cooperation. Therefore, this study collected and re-analysed the articles on exposure of radon in various indoor environment in journals related environment in Korea since 1980 and estimated the annual exposure dose and effective dose by exposure of radon received by inhabitants in them. The highest pooled average radon concentration of $50.17{\pm}4.08\;Bq/m^3$ (95% CI : $42.17{\sim}58.17\;Bq/m^3$) was found in dwelling house among various indoor environment. All of pooled average radon concentration estimated in this study showed lower than the guideline concentration ($148\;Bq/m^3)$ of US EPA and the Korean Ministry of Environment. The annual effective dose received by inhabitants in various indoor environment was estimated 1.071 mSv/yr. That is equal to annual effective dose (1.0 mSv/yr) by exposure of radon estimated by UNSCEAR.