• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.122-133
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• 2021

The radon gas from nature mainly considers a cause of radon problems, and it is closely affect human life cycle. Korean yellow residual soil, Hwangtoh, widely used as a building material, is considered to be one of major sources of indoor radon. However, there have, as yet, been no studies about radon from Hwangtoh in mass market brands. Here, we investigated the indoor radon concentrations and exhalation rates in four Hwangtohs from different brand names and regional features. The Closed Chamber Method (CCM) conducted by a Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM) has been used for the rates of radon exhalation. Based on equations of previous references, the indoor radon concentrations were deducted. As a result, the radon surface exhalation rates resulted in the 1.4208 to 3.0293 Bq·㎡·h-1 range. Significant differences were found among Hwangtohs according to production regions. Materials with higher radon concentration required a longer time to reach a quasi-steady state in a given environment, in other words, the number of half-life cycles increased from a set starting point. The experimentally identified Hwangtohs demonstrated its safety for construction purposes. There exists, so far, a possibility to exert influence radon emanation due to unidentified factors. Therefore, it is necessary to corroborate with more research by increasing the number of Hwangtohs, considering the other references reported high radon exhalation rates. In addition, it is highly recommended that the radon exhalation rates should be measured for all building materials for preventing human health before the material usage.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.334-341
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• 2016

Objectives: This study is aimed at examining radon exposure in offices and the factors that can influence the concentrations. Methods: Indoor radon concentrations in a total of 30 places were measured from January 18 to 21, 2016, targeting six buildings in Seoul with different completion years. The measurement was conducted according to the radon measurement guidelines for indoor air suggested by the Ministry of Environment. Results: As a result of comparing each average concentration, underground area concentration was $42.850{\pm}22.501Bq/m^3$, and that of the ground floors was $27.850{\pm}12.232Bq/m^3$, which was lower than the concentration in the underground areas and statistically significant (p=0.045). As a result of comparing the concentration according to whether or not outside air entered, the average concentration for ventilated areas was $24.876{\pm}11.833Bq/m^3$, and the average concentration for enclosed areas was $47.892{\pm}19.375Bq/m^3$. The concentration in ventilated areas was lower at a statistically significant level (p=0.001). Finally, as a result of the multiple regression analysis for evaluating the factors influencing radon concentration, only ventilation was significant (p=0.007). Conclusions: As a result of measuring radon in office buildings, there was no place that exceeding the recommended standard of the US EPA, but the concentration in poorly ventilated areas was measured to be high. An effort to manage radon concentration and reduce it through the improvement of ventilation systems, repeated measurement is necessary in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.735-747
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• 2018

Radon radiation exposures in home have been posed as a potential cancer hazard. This research aims to present the basic data of the indoor radon concentration level by examining the radon exhalation rates of wood species. Radon exhalation rates from five commonly used wood species in Korean wood building construction were measured with Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM), Model 1028 (Sun Nuclear Co., USA) using the Closed Chamber Method (CCM). The mass exhalation rate was observed to vary from $0.00089Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$ to $0.00181Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$, whereas the surface exhalation rate was observed to be $0.00677-0.01517Bq{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}h^{-1}$. The radon exhalation rate of Quercus accutissima Carruth (white oak) which has the highest density showed the highest figure among the five wood species, on the other hand, the rest of four species showed similar results which were similar to the radon exhalation rates of wood in the U.S.A. and Canada. The average of the concentration measured by the CCM represented well up to the second half-life period (7.7 days). Because result of these small quantities seems to indicate that radon exhalation from the tested wood species has almost negligible impact, the main culprit of the high indoor radon concentration is clearly derived from the background of surrounding wood house. Therefore, as a safety precaution, infrastructures made of wood materials should be designed with the consideration of influx of radon and built accordingly. Furthermore, it is highly desirable that wood will be needed to use for furniture and interior finishing material in indoor environment.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.692-702
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• 2011

For more effective indoor radon reduction policy and technique, we researched radon data analysis for some buildings in Seoul. Those buildings were categorized as dwelling, underground and office space and the variations of radon concentration and its sources were evaluated. The variations of radon concentrations of indoor space of buildings for a day were patterned specifically by dwelling habits and different environment. As for the new built apartments which were not yet moved in, their indoor radon concentrations were showed more than 3 times after applying interior assembly, and were 5 times higher than ones of rather old residences. As for the subway stations, the radon concentrations during off-run times were about 15% higher than run-times. 10% of radon seemed to be reduced by installation of platform screen doors. As for office space, radon concentrations during working hours were about 2.5 times higher than non-working hours. Plaster board are expected as a main source of radon for them. By radon measurement method for long-term, its data can be over estimated because it covers non-active time in office or public space. Therefore combination of short and long-term measurement method is required for effective and economic reduction. Furthermore importance of ventilation is requested as public information service for all dwelling space. And also standardization for radium content or radiation of radon is necessary.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.425-430
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• 1998

The results of radon $(^{222}Rn)$ concentrations and working levels (WL) for forty rooms in Kwanak Campus, Seoul National University on granite bedrock of Jurassic age showed that radon concentration have mean value of 3.0 pCi/L and 0.011 for working level. A number of rooms where these values exceed the EPA's action level are five (13%). It was also suggested that indoor basement rooms in poor ventilation condition can be classified as extremely high radon risk zone having more than 4 pCi/L and 0.020 WL. It was proved that inflow of soil-gas was a primary factor that governs indoor radon level by comparison of soil-gas radon concentrations with indoor radon concentrations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.329-334
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• 2018

Radon which is natural component of air is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas. Radon exposure can also occur from some building materials if they are made from radon-containing substances by breathing. In this study, The radiation dose of radon concentration was detected at 8 buildings of the A university during 3-month from June. 2017 to August. 2017. We detected indoor radon exposure at 8 building of the university and estimated annual effective dose. The radon concentration of Hall G and Hall F of the A university represented 81 and $14Bq/m^3$ respectively and average indoor radon concentration represented $41.63Bq/m^3$. Average effective dose was estimated 0.40 mSv/y, maximum effective dose was 0.78 mSv/y and minimum effective dose was 0.13 mSv/y respectively. University is the place that students spend the almost whole time. We suggest ventilation and appropriate management of a building, which could reduce the natural radiation exposure by radon concentration.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.29-33
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• 2004

Until early 1980s we have lived without thinking that radon ruins our health. But, scientists knew truth that radon radioactive danger is bedeviling on indoor that we live for a long time. Specially, interest about effect that get in danger and injury for Radon and human body is inactive in our country. Recently, with awareness for Radon contamination, We inform about importance and danger of Radon in some station of the Seoul subway, indoor air of school facilities and We had interest with measure and manages. Usually, Radon gas emitted in base of building enters into indoor through building floor split windage back among radon or indoor air of radon daughter nucleus contamination is increased. Therefore, indoor radon concentration rises as there are a lot of windages between number pipe of top and bottom and base that enter crack from estrangement of the done building floor, underground to indoor. Thus, Radon enters into indoor through architecture resources water as well as, kitchen natural gas for choice etc., but more than about 85% from earth's crust emit. Danger and injury of health by Radon and Radon daughter nucleus that is indicated for cause of lung cancer incerases content of uranium of soil rises specially from inside pit of High area and a mine, cave, hermetical space with house. Safe sub-officer of radon concentration can not know and danger always exists large or small during. So, Important thing reduces danger of lung cancer by lowering concentration of Radon within house and building. Therefore, is thought that need general house Radon concentration measurement, measured Radon concentration monthly using Sintillator radon monitor. Study finding appeared high all underground market 1 year than the ground, and the winter appeared high than the summer. Specially, month that pass over 4pCi in house that United States Environmental Protection Agency advises appeared in underground, and appeared and know Radon exposure gravity by 4 months during 12 months. Therefore, Thinking that establishment and regulation of norm and preparation of reduction countermeasure about Radon are pressing feels, and inform result that measure Radon concentration.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2017.11a
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• pp.92-93
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• 2017

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in natural radioactive gas radon(Rn-222), the problem of indoor air quality pollution to worldwide. It has been scientifically proven to be hazardous to various diseases such as lung cancer and skin cancer if the human body is exposed to long-term accumulation of atomic nuclei due to the destruction of radon and alpha lines. Based on the indoor air quality control policy, this study is a basic experiment in the manufacture of a selective elimination function to containing radon adsorption and reduction of radon concentration, which is used to absorb radioactive isotopes such as phosphorus and radon in indoor environment.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.127-134
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact by comparing the concentration of indoor radon and look for ways to lower the concentration of indoor radon gas measurements of three variables, the year of completion, volume of the building and ventilation. Measurement target is six classrooms on the sixth floor of building that was constructed in 1973 and was extended in 2011. Selected classroom's volume is different. Four classrooms were selected to compare the radon concentration in accordance with the year of completion, Classrooms that is same year of completion were selected to compare the radon concentration in accordance with the volume, six classroom was performed closure and ventilation to compare radon concentration according to ventilation. Radon concentrations in accordance with the year of building completion showed a high concentration of radon in a building recently built. Also, Radon concentration in volume is high the smaller the volume. Radon concentration change according to ventilation showed a reduction of about 80% when the ventilation than during closing. Especially, The radon concentrations were high detected while the recently year of building completion and the smaller volume. Ventilation of the three variables is considered that can be expected to exposure reduction effect by radon affecting the greatest radon concentration reduction.