Radiation Technology Tackles Radon, Mold, and New House Syndrome

Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute Establishes Research Institute Company to Produce Eco-Friendly Functional Coatings

An eco-friendly paint that blocks radioactive substances (radon), mold, bacteria, and even causes of sick house syndrome has been developed and has entered production.

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) announced on the 3rd that it has established a research institute company (Haven Korea) in collaboration with a private company, investing five patented technologies related to antibacterial radon-blocking compositions and manufacturing methods to produce eco-friendly functional coatings. A research institute company refers to a company established within a research and development special zone to directly commercialize technologies from public research institutions.

Researchers from the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and employees of Heaven Korea Co., Ltd. manufactured a prototype of an antibacterial radon-blocking paint. (From right) Park Jong-seok, principal researcher and research director; Park Yong-dae, principal researcher; Kim Gap-su, CEO of Heaven Korea Co., Ltd.; and Jeong Seong-rin, principal researcher.

Through this company, KAERI plans to launch a new product called "Radon Keeper," which adds radon shielding and antibacterial functions based on the invested technologies. Radon caused a major controversy in 2018 when detected in mattress products. Although it is a natural radioactive substance, prolonged exposure to high concentrations can cause lung cancer and is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen.

Indoor radon enters from soil through cracks in old buildings, groundwater, or building materials. Radon that enters indoors can be expelled through sufficient ventilation. However, in situations where ventilation is difficult, such as during winter, a method to block radon over a wide area at the source is necessary.

Dr. Jongseok Park’s research team at KAERI’s Advanced Radiation Research Institute, Radiation Convergence Technology Research Division, succeeded in developing a radon-blocking functional coating that effectively blocks radon extensively while being harmless to humans. Although radon reduction materials have been developed previously for application on walls, the coating films were easily damaged, making it difficult to maintain radon-blocking effects over a long period, and they were hard to use in narrow gaps. Moreover, materials containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), even if effective in reducing radon, are harmful to the environment.

The research team succeeded in creating a new composition using ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), an eco-friendly material, and porous substances that adsorb radon. After adding ionic surfactants and irradiating with radiation, they modified the surface properties to ensure the radon-blocking material could be evenly distributed.

While previously developed coatings had a radon blocking rate of about 75%, the coating developed by the research team showed a blocking rate exceeding 90% even against high concentrations of radon emissions. Similar to paint, it is easy to apply and spreads well, effectively blocking radon entering through cracks or gaps inside buildings.

Additionally, it demonstrated excellent anti-mold and antibacterial properties against black mold caused by indoor-outdoor temperature differences and bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, which can cause various diseases. It also effectively blocks formaldehyde, a major cause of sick house syndrome. This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT’s Radiation Safety Material Technology Development Project since 2019. The project covered everything from basic technology development to prototype production and official testing certification.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.