Choi Byeong-seong, Executive Director of the Climate Disaster Research Institute. Photo = Daegu MBC
Concerns are growing as radon levels in recently completed apartments are found to be above recommended levels. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive substance classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an affiliate of the World Health Organization. It is known to cause lung cancer by permeating the respiratory system in a gaseous state. In particular, as radon has been detected one after another in newly built apartments, the Ministry of Environment has strengthened the recommended indoor radon concentration from 200 becquerel to 148 becquerel for apartment complexes whose business plans were approved after July 2019.
However, there are no regulations imposing separate sanctions or re-measurement obligations even if radon levels exceed the standard, and since construction companies measure radon levels through proxy companies, questions are being raised about its reliability. We will hear from Choi Byeong-seong, standing director of the Climate and Disaster Research Institute, about the cause of high radon levels in apartments and the safety issues of cement.
Choi Byeong-seong, Executive Director of the Climate Disaster Research Institute. Photo = Daegu MBC
Concerns are growing as radon levels in recently completed apartments are found to be above recommended levels. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive substance classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an affiliate of the World Health Organization. It is known to cause lung cancer by permeating the respiratory system in a gaseous state. In particular, as radon has been detected one after another in newly built apartments, the Ministry of Environment has strengthened the recommended indoor radon concentration from 200 becquerel to 148 becquerel for apartment complexes whose business plans were approved after July 2019.
However, there are no regulations imposing separate sanctions or re-measurement obligations even if radon levels exceed the standard, and since construction companies measure radon levels through proxy companies, questions are being raised about its reliability. We will hear from Choi Byeong-seong, standing director of the Climate and Disaster Research Institute, about the cause of high radon levels in apartments and the safety issues of cement.
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