Radon Concentration in Various Indoor Environment and Effective Dose by Inhabitants in Korea

Abstract

ISEE-846 Objective: The objective of this study was to offer basic and scientific data for decision-making of policy for improvement and management of radon and natural radiation gas in Korea and to form the foundation of radon for international cooperation. Materials and Methods: This study collected and reanalyzed the articles on exposure of radon in various indoor environment in journals related to environment in Korea since 1980 and estimated the annual exposure dose and effective dose by exposure of radon received by inhabitants. Results: The highest pooled average radon concentration of 50.17 ± 4.08 Bq/m3 (95% CI: 42.17–58.17 Bq/m3) was found in dwelling house among various indoor environments. All of pooled average radon concentration estimated in this study was lower than the guideline concentration (148 Bq/m3) of US EPA and the Korean Ministry of Environment. Conclusions: The annual effective dose received by inhabitants in various indoor environments was estimated to be 1.071 mSv/yr. This is equal to annual effective dose (1.0 mSv/yr) corresponding to radon exposure estimated by UNSCEAR.