• Radioisotope journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.55-65
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• 2006

A passive type radon monitor adopting two silicon PIN detector as radiation detector has been developed, manufactured and test-evaluated. A radiation signal processing circuit has been electronically tested and then the radiation detection characteristics of this instrument has been performance-tested by using reference radon concentration and a reference photon radiation field. As a result, in a electronic performance test, radiation signals from each detector were well observed in each signal processing circuit. The radiation detection sensitivity of this instrument after several test-irradiations to a Cs-137 gamma radiation source and a standard radon concentration appeared to be 1.37 cph/$\mu$Svh-1 and 1.66 pCi/L respectively. The developed radon monitor in this paper could be used conveniently in monitoring of radon concentration in buildings which population utilize in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.71-76
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• 2002

A survey of radon concentrations in both indoor and outdoor atmospheres was carried out using EIRM and Cup Monitor for the period of February 1996 to March 1997. EIRM were used to measure the indoor and outdoor radon concentration at five major cities university. Cup Monitor were also used to measure the indoor radon concentrations at shopping store, office building, apartment, hospital and house in Seoul. The mean indoor and outdoor radon concentrations at the five major cities(Seoul, Daegu, Daejon, Cwangiu and Busan) were 24.1 Bq/m$^3$and 8.62 Bq/m$^3$, respectively. The ratio of indoor to outdoor radon concentrations ranged front 1.7 to 3.9. Inspection of its seasonal distribute pattern indicates the enhancement during winter relative to summer, consistently for both indoor and outdoor air. The results of the survey showed that the concentrations in basements were clearly higher than those in usual living/working places.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.95-100
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• 2020

Background: Compared with reported data of radon concentration, data of radon progeny concentration is limited in general, especially in outdoor environment. Materials and Methods: To know both the level and the variation of radon progeny concentration in outdoor environment in Beijing area, one-year continuous measurement with a cycle of 60 minutes was carried out by a step-advanced filter (SAF) monitor for radon progeny measurement. The observation site was located in a park in Eastern Beijing area, and the observation period was from October 17, 2018 to September 29, 2019. Results and Discussion: The equivalent equilibrium concentration (EEC) of radon progeny varies from 0.7 to 19.1 Bq·m^-3, with an annual average of 4.9 ± 2.7 Bq·m^-3. A clear diurnal variation of EEC, higher in the early morning and lower in the late afternoon, is observed due to the high sensitivity of the SAF monitor. Conclusion: Vertical convection of atmospheric boundary layer is thought to be the main reason of this phenomenon. For annual variation, the lowest monthly average EEC appeared in April, while the highest appeared in November, which might attribute to the atmospheric stability in different seasons.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.75-82
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• 2002

This outline survey of indoor and outdoor radon concentrations in five major cities in Korea was carried out with Electrostatic Integrating Radon Monitor(EIRM) from February to December, 1996 and January to december, 1998. The mean indoor and outdoor radon concentrations in five major cities in 1996 were $21.9{\;}Bq/\textrm{m}^3$ and $9.6{\;}Bq/\textrm{m}^3$, respectively. The mean indoor and outdoor radon concentrations in 1998 were $20.8{\;}Bq/\textrm{m}^3$ and $9.0{\;}Bq/\textrm{m}^3$, respectively. These were below the U.S.EPA radon action level. The range of indoor to outdoor radon concentrations were $0.8{\;}Bq/\textrm{m}^3{\;}~{\;}45.6{\;}Bq/\textrm{m}^3$ in 1996, $0.5{\;}Bq/\textrm{m}^3{\;}~{\;}15.2{\;}Bq/\textrm{m}^3$ in 1998, respectively. The result of our analysis showed that radon concentrations in indoor air were clearly higher than those in outdoor air. Inspection of seasonal distribute pattern indicates the enhancement during winter relative to summer.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.271-277
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• 1993

Indoor radon has been known as one of the notorious carcinogens. However, a safe environmental criterion of radon has not yet been established in Korea, The main objectives of this study were to study concentration distributions of radon, to trace radon sources in subways, and to obtain a strategy for radon reduction in Seoul metropolitan area. Radon concentrations had been extensively determined by several steps. The first step was to survey radon levels in all of 83 subway stations from October to November in 1991. The second step was to select 40 out of 83 stations and then to study seasonal variations in 1991 and 1992. The third step was to monitor radon levels by hourly-basis plans. The fourth step was to seek a radon reduction strategy by altering ventilation at Ankuk station where had the highest radon concentration during the first measurement step. Each underground floor in the station was divided into 10 sites to measure hourly radon variations. The final step of the study was to measure radon concentrations in groundwater that is one of the possible main sources radon place. The result of the various measuring approaches showed short-and long-term radon variation and indicated radon reduction schemes.

• 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 the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.231-235
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• 2011

Radium is rock or soil of crust or uranium of building materials and thorium after radioactivity collapse process are created colorless and odorless inert gas that accrue well in sealed space like mine or basement. It inflow to lung circulate respiratory organ and caused lung cancer because of deposition of lung or bronchial tubes. Radium sheath of medical institution treat person's life is possible big danger to professional regarding radioactivity who has much amount exposed radioactivity and weaker immune patient. so we do this test. Using measuring instrument at test is real time radium measuring instrument, Professional Continuous Radon monitor, and measuring places are basement first floor and second floor of two hospitals and measure from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Measurement result of Professional Continuous Radon monitor is minimum 14.8 Bq/$m^3$ to maximum 70.3 Bq/$m^3$ and show domestic baseline below 148 Bq/$m^3$, effective dose-rate is minimum 0.296 mSv to maximum 1.406 mSv that show 2.4 mSv, 10~58.3% level, exposed radiation amount from nature radiation one year.

• 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.29 no.2
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• pp.176-184
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• 2019

Objective: This study aims to characterize airborne radon and thoron levels ($Bq/m^3$) generated from working environments in three subway stations in Seoul. Method: A radon and thoron detector (EQF3220) was used to monitor real-time airborne radon and thoron levels ($Bq/m^3$) and their daughters ($Bq/m^3$) every two hours. They were monitored not only in the driver's cabin of seven circulation lines, but also three offices, platforms, and water pump reservoirs in the three stations. Results: The average levels of radon and thoron were $67.9Bq/m^3$ (range; $7.2-619.4Bq/m^3$) and $44.4Bq/m^3$ (range; $4.3-819.2Bq/m^3$), respectively. Notably, higher than legal airborne radon levels ($600Bq/m^3$) were frequently monitored in the driver's cabin of seven circulation lines. Airborne radon levels monitored in the platforms and administrative offices were found to be over $100Bq/m^3$. The average equilibrium factors (F) were 0.12 and 0.06, respectively. The percentages detected were found to be 84.9 for radon and 72.4 for thoron, respectively. Conclusions: Significant airborne radon and thoron levels were frequently found to be generated in subway facilities including water reservoirs, platforms and driver's cabins. Further study is necessary to thoroughly investigate airborne radon and thoron in all subway stations and to devise proper measures.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.99-112
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• 2019

Objective: This study aims to analyze the characteristics of airborne radon and thoron level ($Bq/m^3$) generated from household products containing monazites, and estimate the effective doses (mSv/yr). Method: Radon & Thoron detector EQF3220 was used to monitor real-time airborne radon and thoron level ($Bq/m^3$), and their daughters ($Bq/m^3$) were recorded every two hours. Effective doses (mSv/yr) for radon and thoron were estimated according to models developed by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). Results: The average levels of radon and thoron were $87.8Bq/m^3$ (range; $20.8-156.3Bq/m^3$) and $1,347.5Bq/m^3$ (range; $4-5,839.7Bq/m^3$), respectively. The average equilibrium factors (F) were 0.23 and 0.007, respectively. The levels of radon progeny were far higher than that thoron. Latex mattress showed the highest F (0.38). The average effective doses were estimated to be ICRP (1.9 mSv/yr) and UNSCER (1.3 mSv/yr) for radon and UNSCEAR (1.6 mSv/yr) for thoron. Conclusions: Our results have far exceeded the allowable effective dose for general population (1 mSv/yr). The government's actions such as the ban of use of consumer products containing monazite and the establishment of surveillance system to evaluate health effects for the people affected should be taken as early as possible.