The purpose of this study is to implement through the utilization of geographical information that was currently constructed in the development of the radon map creation methodology. In addition, we suggested a model for forecasting radon gas in soil based on the mechanism of radon exhalation from soil. To provide basic data for radon mapping in Korea, we compared the results obtained using the proposed model with the results of a field survey. Based on the comparison, we discussed the feasibility of the proposed model. The soil radon exhalation rate prediction model was built on the first order prediction model in the steady-state based on the law of conversion of mass. To verify the model by comparing the predicted value with a field survey, a grid of 7.5 × 6.3 cm was created at a 1:500,000 map of Korea, and the intersection point of the grid was selected as measurement site. The results showed a low error rate when compared with the previous studies, and it is expected that the model proposed in this study and the currently constructed geogenic information database can be used in combination to map the soil radon gas in Korea.

With increasing public awareness regarding radon, this study has been conducted with the aim of providing more accurate information about radon to the public. We investigated the radon emissions from gypsum boards, which are known to emit relatively higher levels of radon among the building materials available on the market. Radon emissions were measured over three weeks using the closed chamber method with nuclear track detectors. For ceiling materials, the arithmetic mean of the radon emissions was 43.8 ± 42.2 Bq/m3 (geometric mean: 28.9 ± 5.6), 156.2 ± 150.5 mBq/m2/h per unit area (geometric mean, 103.1 ± 2.7) and 21.1 ± 19.9 mBq/kg/h per unit mass (geometric mean: 14.4 ± 2.6). Regarding the wall materials, the arithmetic mean of radon emissions was 24.1 ± 24.0 Bq/m3 (geometric mean: 15.6 ± 2.6), 133.3 ± 143.4 mBq/m2/h per unit area (geometric mean, 76.8 ± 3.0) and 13.0 ± 10.4 mBq/kg/h per unit mass (geometric mean, 9.5 ± 2.3). According to the results of this study, higher radon concentrations and emissions were detected in the ceiling materials than in the wall materials, but these values were lower than those previously measured in building materials.

This study aimed at providing fundamental information for development of governmental policy on radon management, investigated the radon levels of residential homes nationwide. It also suggested the necessity for policy development which focuses on management of the degree of harm through the installation of radon alarm devices and radon reduction consulting for homes with radon readings in excess of recommended threshold. Results showed that the radon level of the subjects of this study, 1,167 houses, was 97.3 ± 65.8 Bq/m3. Regionally, Seoul had the highest level, while Jeju had the lowest. In the first round of the investigation, the number of houses, with radon level which exceeded the recommended threshold, 148 Bq/m3, was 171. However, as a result of the radon alarm installation and radon reduction consultation, the indoor radon level of 137 households decreased to less than the recommended threshold. In the second round of the investigation, 80% of the households, the radon concentration of which exceeded the current recommended threshold in the first round, appeared to maintain their radon concentration below the recommended threshold. As a result of the communication about radon's harmfulness and the installation of the radon alarm device for recognition of harmful environments. It could be deduced from this result that the communication about harm contributes to the reduction of radon.

This study was performed as the preliminary research to calculate the concentration of radon exposure and the annual effective dose in public hot spring bath-house. The research found that public bathhouses are the primary cause of the indoor air radon concentration inside a hot spring bathhouse. The indoor radon concentration inside a bathhouse differs significantly by region and among bathhouses in the same region, indicating that the indoor air radon concentration is affected by many factors. The annual effective indoor radon dose by exposure is estimated to range from 1.2×10−2mSv/y to 2.5×10−2mSv/y. Since this research is considered as preliminary research, further and additional relevant research to more reliably calculate the result are necessary, including accumulative research for indoor radon concentrations, and research for exposure coefficients such as the behavior patterns of public bathhouse users, etc.

This research, sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Environment in 2014, was the first epidemiological study in Korea that investigated the health impact assessment of radon exposure. Its purpose was to construct a model that calculated the annual mean cumulative radon exposure concentrations, so that reliable conclusions could be drawn from environment-control group research. Radon causes chronic lung cancer. Therefore, the long-term measurement of radon exposure concentration, over one year, is needed in order to develop a health impact assessment for radon. Hence, based on the seasonal correction model suggested by Pinel et al.(1995), a predictive model of annual mean radon concentration was developed using the year-long seasonal measurement data from the National Institute of Environmental Research, the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, the Hanyang University Outdoor Radon Concentration Observatory, and the results from a 3-month (one season) survey, which is the official test method for radon measurement designated by the Korean Ministry of Environment. In addition, a model for evaluating the effective annual dose for radon was developed, using dosimetric methods. The model took into account the predictive model for annual mean radon concentrations and the activity characteristics of the residents

야콘은 재배지역 적응성이나 과다시비에 강한 편이나 시비 종류나 시비량에 따라서 반응은 다르게 나타나는 작물인데 수피퇴비와 유기질비료를 주구로하여 3요소 시용량을 다르게 하여 준고냉지에서 야콘을 재배한 결과는 다음과 같다. 시험전 토양의 이화학성은 비옥도가 낮은 보통밭이었다. 재배기간중 월별 평균기온은 평년에 비해 7월만 높았을 뿐 그 외는 같거나 낮았다. 무비구보다는 무퇴비구가 생육이 양호하고 수량이 74% 많았다. 야콘 생육은 수피퇴비, 유기질비료 처리시 3요소 시비량이 증가할수록 초장, 엽수, 경태 등 생육이 양호했으며 수량도 많았다. 수량은 수피퇴비구보다는 유기질비료 처리구가 많은 경향이었으나 수피퇴비 3요소 1.5 배구가 수량이 6,905kg/10a 으로 가장 많았다. 야콘잎의 일반성분은 퇴비종류나 3요소 시용량구간에 일정한 경향이 없었으며 무퇴비구의 함량도 3요소 비료 시용구의 성분과 큰 차이가 없었다.