J.KAPRA Vol.9, No.4(1993) pp.271~277

Journal of Korea Air Pollution Research Association

  

Concentration Distributions and A Reduction Strategy of Airborne Radon in Seoul Metropolitan Subway Stations

  

Dong-Sool Kim, Yoon-Shin Kim, Shin-Do Kim, Eung-Bai Shin, Seoun-Cheon Kim, Jeong-Seok Yoo

Air Pollution Lab., Dept. of Environmental Science, Kyung Hee University-Suwon Campus

College of Medicine, Hanyang University

Dept. of Environmental Engineering, Seoul City University

Dept. of Civil Engineering, Hanyang University

  

Abstract

  

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 ground-water 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.