Radiation is an important part of our lives. Even though we do not know much or are not interested in sciences such as nuclear physics or chemistry, radiation stays with us. For example, radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer. Also, there are over 435 commercial nuclear power stations in 31 countries that provide over 11% of the world’s electricity. In South Korea, nuclear power stations produce 34.8% of the total electricity.
  We have to remember a catastrophic nuclear accident called the Chernobyl Disaster, which happened in 1986, and the Fukushima accident in Japan following a major earthquake in 2011. Accordingly, many countries are considering reducing the number of nuclear plants for their safety.
  Have you ever heard about radon? Radon is the source of radiation most prevalent in our lives. Therefore, we need to know about radon and how it affects our health. Radon is a chemical element with the symbol, Rn. It is a radioactive, colorless, odorless and tasteless noble gas, which forms naturally from the decay (breaking down) of radioactive elements, such as uranium, which are found in different amounts in soil and rock throughout the world. It is amazing that radiation always comes out on land! Thus, all day long, we are living with radioactive radon, which damages our bodies, especially the lungs. Everyone knows that smoking cigarettes is the main contributor to lung cancer. If a non-smoker has a lung problem, he/she needs to suspect radon. If your room has a crack in the wall, the concentration of radon becomes worse, because radon comes from underground.
  Fortunately, most people in South Korea love to live in apartments. We tend not to worry about radon, because a high-story apartment is far from the ground. We think that radon gas cannot reach up into a high-rise apartment, but do not forget that an apartment building is built with soil and rock that has a certain amount of radon in them. Researchers warn that the use of phospho-gypsum plasterboards and plaster cement in buildings may constitute an additional source of radon exposure to both workers and members of the public.
  What are the solutions? We just have simple solutions. How about moving out of your apartment? If not, you need to check the concentration of radon regularly. Buy a radon detector online, as it is not expensive. Another solution is to open the windows every morning to remove the radon. If you live in a house, you need to check for cracks frequently.