Assessing the Radon Exposure Variability and Lifetime Health Effects across Indoor Microenvironments and Sub-Populations

Autor: Soo-Yong Lee, Sang-Hun Lim, Hee-Seok Kim
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Atmosphere, Vol 15, Iss 8, p 927 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 15080927
2073-4433
DOI: 10.3390/atmos15080927
Popis: To assess the health impacts of radon exposure over a lifetime, in the present study, the annual effective dose (AED) and cumulative excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR-C) were evaluated by considering various indoor microenvironmental exposures based on age-specific time–activity patterns using Monte Carlo simulations. Significant regional variations in indoor radon concentrations across the Republic of Korea were observed, with the highest levels found in schools and single detached houses. Based on the standard annual total of 8760 h spent indoors and outdoors, the AED varied by age group and dwelling type, with the ELCR-C for single detached houses being approximately 1.36 times higher than that for apartments on average. The present study highlights the importance of comprehensive health risk assessments that consider differences across indoor environments and age groups, indicating that limited evaluations of specific sites or areas may distort actual exposure levels.
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