Gangdong-gu, headed by Mayor Lee Jung-hun, revealed its plans to implement a ‘free radon measurement device rental service’ focusing on neighborhood community service centers to solve resident anxieties about the radioactive substance radon.

Radon is one of the causes of lung cancer, and it is a substance that can produce radiation in everyday life. Recently an excessive level of radon was discovered in mattresses, latex and menstrual pads, heightening uneasiness about radiation in everyday life.

To solve resident uneasiness and to create a healthy, safe living environment, the district will implement the ‘free radon measurement device rental service’ for residents to measure the level of radon in their homes.

Residents can register through the Gangdong-gu website (http://www.gangdong.go.kr), and following confirmation of the rental date, residents can visit the neighborhood community service center on the applicable date to rent the device. The device will be available to rent for 1 night, 2 days.

A radon measurement of 4pCi/L(148Bq/m3) or less is safe, and to prevent future accumulation of radon, the indoors should be aired out regularly and building floors and walls must be continuously managed so that cracks do not form.

If the radon measurement exceeds 5.4Ci/L(200Bq/m3), the standard for new apartment buildings, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission advises receiving a precise measurement through a radon measurement-specializing company or no using items suspected to discharge radon. Consultation about items suspected of radon is available at the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (☎080-004-3355).

Mayor Lee Jung-hun stated, “Starting this past August we have operated the rental service with one device, but with the heightening concerns of the residents leading to a sudden rise in rental requests, we secured an additional twenty devices to further execute the service.” and “We will continue to promote life policies that will substantially help the lives of residents and thereby work towards creating a safe Gangdong that's a good place to live in.”

For more information about the radon measurement device rental service, contact the Gangdong-gu Office Clean Environment Division (☎02-3425-5922).

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