222Rn Exhalation Rates from Some Granite and Marble Used in Korea: Preliminary Study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to establish a test method for assessing radon exhalation rates from building materials considering radon related environmental policy and research in Korea. This method was established in consideration of cost-effectiveness based on the International Standards Organization (ISO) method and the closed chamber method, which is an evaluation method for the emission of hazardous chemical substances from building materials in Korea. The assessment of radon exhalation rates from five types each of granite and marble used in the construction industry in Korea gave mean radon exhalation rates of 0.497 ± 0.467 Bq/m2∙h from granite and 0.193 ± 0.113 Bq/m2∙h from marble, indicating higher radon exhalation rates from granite. These results are consistent with those of a previous study, indicating that granites are more likely to show higher radon exhalation rates than marbles.

Editorial for the Special Issue “Atmospheric Radon Measurements, Control, Mitigation and Management”

“…The published articles are intended to provide guidance and solutions for correctly measuring and evaluating radon in different environments and the efficient management of radon levels in affected buildings for radiation protection of the population. An attempt has been made to classify the contributions below [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]:  Three papers aim to define radon awareness and policy perspectives, to set-up radon specific norms to control of the health risk of radon exposure in the Republic of Moldova and to better define measurement procedures, approaches and standard guidelines for Romanian Schools.…”