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2023 Vol.43, Issue 6 Preview Page

Research Article

Variations in Indoor Radon Concentrations Influenced by Airtightness Performance and Existing Facilities in an Apartment House

공동주택의 기밀성능 및 기존 설비에 따른 실내 라돈 농도 변화

Jinhee Jeong1
,
Yun Gyu Lee2*
정 진희1
,
이 윤규2*
1Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Building Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology
2Senior Research Fellow, Department of Building Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology
1한국건설기술연구원 건축연구본부, 박사후연구원
2한국건설기술연구원 건축연구본부, 선임연구위원
*Corresponding Author
30 December 2023. pp. 121-131
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Abstract

Among various indoor air pollutants, radon is a ubiquitous and imperceptible substance that has long-term harmful effects on the human body; however, it can be effectively removed through indoor/outdoor air exchange. In this study, we collected data on the variations in indoor radon levels caused by airtightness performance, window opening, and bathroom exhaust fan operation. The levels of indoor radon fluctuated more irregularly in less airtight conditions, while the highest concentrations were observed in an apartment house with good airtightness performance (<1.5 ACH50). Opening the windows to allow for cross ventilation during the first hour of the experiment significantly increased the removal efficiency. The percentage of removal increases as the size of the window opening increases. Nevertheless, accidental variations in ventilation volumes brought on by weather-related factors, such as wind, temperature, and air pressure, makes this unmaintainable. The indoor radon levels of the entire apartment house did not significantly change when the bathroom exhaust fan was operating. Smaller areas, such as a single bedroom, can have their indoor radon concentrations reduced to less than 100 Bq/m3. This implies that in situations where the ventilation system is inadequate, the bathroom exhaust fan can function as a substitute instrument.

Keywords
Indoor radon
Apartment house
Airtightness performance
Window opening
Bathroom exhaust fan
Indoor air quality
키워드
실내 라돈
공동주택
기밀성능
창호 개방
욕실 배기팬
실내공기질
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Solar Energy Society
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국태양에너지학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국태양에너지학회 논문집
  • Volume : 43
  • No :6
  • Pages :121-131
  • Received Date : 2023-10-22
  • Revised Date : 2023-11-16
  • Accepted Date : 2023-11-19
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7836/kses.2023.43.6.121
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