• 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.14 no.2
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• pp.23-29
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• 1989

A Lucas cell was established and calibrated by using the double layer tube standard radon source. The calibration factors were 0.031$\pm$0.002 (pCi/l)/(cph/Cell) at room temperature, and 0.029$\pm$0.001 (pCi/l)/(cph/Cell) at $50^{\circ}C$. Radon and its daughters concentrations were measured in a room air for the demonstrating purpose. The concentrations of 222 Rn, $^{218}Po,\;224\;Pb,\;and\;^{214}Bi$ were 0.87, 0.53, 0.35 and 0.26 pCi/l. The total eqilibrium factor was around 0.40 and the WL is $3.33{\times}10^{-3}$, resulting in 30 mrem/yr at this place.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.86-90
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• 2013

$^{222}Rn$ concentrations in the groundwater samples without standard material due to the short half-life (3.82 day) were measured through the establishment of the counting efficiency of LSC (Liquid Scintillation Counter) using a standard source of $^{226}Ra$. This study for Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) of $^{222}Rn$ analysis was performed to analyze blank samples, duplicate samples, samples of groundwater sampling before and after. In-situ blank samples collected were in the range of 0.44~6.28 pCi/L and laboratory samples were in the range of 1.66~4.95 pCi/L. Their correlation coefficient was 0.9691 and the source contamination from sampling, migration and keeping of samples were not identified. The correlation coefficient between original and duplicate samples from 65 areas was 0.9987. Because radon is an inert gas, in case of groundwater sampling, it is considered to affect the radon concentration. We analyzed samples separately by groundwater sampling before and after using distilled water, but there is no significant difference for $^{222}Rn$ concentrations in distilled waters of two types.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.22-27
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• 2012

$^{226}Ra$ in groundwater could be analyzed by various methods. LSC (liquid scintillation counter) is used to measure its activity of Ba co-precipitates with Hisafe III scintillation cocktail solution. Counting efficiency was obtained using NIST $^{226}Ra$ standard solution in triplicate and calculated $^{226}Ra$ concentration using the efficiency values. $^{226}Ra$ values of 19 groundwaters having Gross-${\alpha}$ concentrations of more than 5 pCi/L ranged from ND (${\leq}$ 0.1 pCi/L) to 1.18 pCi/L. Geologic settings of the 19 areas are composed of granitic rocks of Pre-Cambrian and Jurassic and Cretaceous, gneiss (schist) of Pre-Cambrian, and volcanic rocks of Cretaceous. No relationship was shown among $^{226}Ra$ a concentrations and in-situ water quality data, and Gross-${\alpha}$, uranium, radon concentrations.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.65-72
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• 2016

This study presented an analytical method for detecting radium in soils using a liquid scintillation counter (LSC). The isotope ²²⁶Ra was extracted from soil using the fusion method and then separated from interfering radionuclides using the precipitation method. Radium was coprecipitated as sulfate salts with barium (Ba) and then converted into Ba(Ra)CO₃, which is soluble in an acidic solution. The isotope ²²²Rn, the decay progeny of ²²⁶Ra, was trapped in a water immiscible cocktail and analyzed by LSC. The pulse shape analysis (PSA) level was estimated using ⁹⁰Sr and ²²⁶Ra standard solutions. The figure of merit was the highest at PSA 80, while the alpha spillover was the lowest at PSA 80. The counting efficiency was 243 ± 2% in a glass vial. This analytical method was verified with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reference materials, including IAEA-312, IAEA-314, and IAEA-315. The recovery ranged from 60–82%, while the relative bias between the measured value and the recommended value was less than 10%. The minimum detectable activity was 2.1 Bq kg⁻¹ with dry mass 1 g, the background count rate of 0.02 cpm, the recovery rate of 70% and counting time of 30 min.

• 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.