Abstract
Estimating long-term exposure to indoor radon is necessary to determine the effects of indoor radon exposure on health. However, measuring long-term exposure to radon is labor intensive and costly. While developing models for estimating indoor radon concentrations are very difficult and unrealistic due to the many factors affecting radon concentrations, several studies have attempted to estimate indoor radon concentrations with mathematical models based on mass balance equations. However, these models are only applicable to specific regions or situations, and some require actual measurement data. This study sought to develop a widely applicable model for estimating mean annual indoor radon concentrations in actual residences considering seasonal variations in indoor radon. The model is based on a mass balance equation using data on geographical factors, building characteristics, meteorological factors, and nationwide radon surveys. The primary factor in our model is the infiltration factor, which can vary according to region, building materials, cracks, floor type, etc. In this study, infiltration factor was calculated according to the type of housing and groundwater usage, and the results thereof were applied to estimate indoor radon concentrations. Overall, measured concentrations and estimates of indoor radon concentrations using the infiltration factor were similar. This model showed better performance than our previous model, except for a few high concentration residences.
Highlights
IntroductionColorless, odorless and tasteless noble gas, known to be a major component of natural radiation
Radon is a radioactive, colorless, odorless and tasteless noble gas, known to be a major component of natural radiation
We focused on constructing a model based on mass balance equations, using data on geographical factors, building characteristics, meteorological factors, and nationwide radon surveys
Summary
Colorless, odorless and tasteless noble gas, known to be a major component of natural radiation. Measuring indoor radon concentrations is labor intensive and costly, limiting studies of the adverse health effects related to long-term indoor radon exposure. To overcome these problems, several studies have sought to estimate indoor radon concentrations with mathematical models based on mass balance equations. Several studies have sought to estimate indoor radon concentrations with mathematical models based on mass balance equations These models and applications were previously reviewed by Park et al [4] who found them to be applicable only to specific regions or situations or to require actual measurement data. For Korea, Park et al [5] developed a model for estimating indoor radon concentrations using data from surveys between January and
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