Development of Predictive Model for Annual Mean Radon Concentration for Assessment of Annual Effective dose of Radon Exposure

Abstract

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.