최근 신축된 국내 공동주택의 실내 라돈 농도: 지역, 계절, 건축 특성 및 정책 기준에 따른 영향 분석

Abstract

Background: Indoor radon exposure is a major public health concern in South Korea, particularly in newly constructed apartment buildings where ventilation systems and airtight structures influence radon accumulation. Despite the performance of previous studies, there is limited large-scale evidence addressing seasonal, regional, and architectural variations in radon concentration in recently built housing. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate indoor radon concentrations in newly constructed multi-family housing units across South Korea and identify key factors influencing radon levels, including region, season, floor level, housing size, and policy-related construction standards. Methods: Indoor radon was measured in 1,239 housing units constructed between 2021 and 2023 using standardized protocols. Measurement data were categorized by administrative region, season (warm vs. cold), floor group (low, mid, high), and housing size. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and t-tests, were conducted using SPSS to determine differences and interactions among variables. The influence of the 2019 Indoor Air Quality Act revision and 2022 ventilation policy on radon levels was also examined. Results: Radon concentrations varied significantly by region and season, with higher levels observed in the cold months. Mid-level floors showed the highest exceedance percentage compared to low and high floors. In certain regions such as Gyeonggi-do Province, some housing units exceeded the nationally recommended limit of 148 Bq/m , particularly during the winter months. Policy-driven changes in building codes showed a 3 partial association with reduced radon levels in post-implementation buildings. Conclusions: The findings suggest that indoor radon levels in newly constructed housing are influenced by both environmental and architectural factors. These results highlight the need for region- and season-specific mitigation strategies and support the ongoing refinement of radon management policies in South Korea.