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Assessment of soil and soil-gas radon activity using active and passive detecting methods in Korea

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Abstract

Radon (222Rn) is a carcinogenic gas produced by the radioactive decay of radium (226Ra). It has been reported that soil and soil-gas are primary factors that could cause indoor radon problems. Six sites were selected for this study—Sanbook, Gangcheon, Jikyeong, Choojung, Geumsung and Homyoung—each was classified according to bedrock type. In order to investigate soil-gas radon activities and radon emanating power, innovated active and passive detecting methods were developed and applied under both field and laboratory conditions. Statistical analysis of results confirmed that the radon activity values measured using either active or passive methods under field or laboratory conditions could be interchangeable with each other.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Ministry of Environment and the Korea Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (KIEST) as “The Eco-technopia 21 project (2005-09001-0022-0)”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Samdoo Co., Ltd., 307-2, SUNTECHCITY II 704, Sangdaewon-dong, Jungwon-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyunggi-do, 462-120, Korea

    Hyun-Kuk Je

  2. Department of Environmental Engineering, Ansan College of Technology, Gyunggi-do, 425-792, Korea

    Chi-Gu Kang

  3. School of Civil, Urban and Geosystem Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-744, Korea

    Jae-Young Choi, Jin-Soo Lee & Hyo-Taek Chon

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  1. Hyun-Kuk Je
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  2. Chi-Gu Kang
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  3. Jae-Young Choi
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  4. Jin-Soo Lee
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  5. Hyo-Taek Chon
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Correspondence to Hyun-Kuk Je.

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Je, HK., Kang, CG., Choi, JY. et al. Assessment of soil and soil-gas radon activity using active and passive detecting methods in Korea. Environ Geochem Health 29, 295–301 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-007-9098-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-007-9098-9

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