Assessment of Radon gas concentration in companies' warehouses and ventilation CFD modeling

Radon (Rn-222) is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that, when inhaled along with its decay products, can increase the risk of lung cancer. This study assessed potential radon exposure risks in warehouses by analyzing concentration levels and their relationship with ventilation conditions. Results revealed significant variations in radon concentrations across different locations, emphasizing the need for further investigation and mitigation measures. A warehouse room model was simulated using CFD in SimScale to analyze airflow and radon dispersion. The average radon concentration across the sampled sites was 27.68 Bq/m³, well below the WHO reference level of 100 Bq/m³ (2.7 pCi/L). However, poorly ventilated areas exhibited much higher levels, with Sample 18 reaching 68.7 Bq/m³, while well-ventilated areas, such as Sample 7, recorded only 12.6 Bq/m³. The mean annual effective dose (AED) was 0.175 mSv/year, within the ICRP’s recommended public exposure limit of 1 mSv/year. However, some poorly ventilated locations exceeded this average, with AED values reaching 0.433 mSv/year, indicating potential health risks. The estimated average lifetime lung cancer probability (CPPP) was 3.14 × 10⁻⁶. The study highlights how warehouse ventilation systems primarily circulate air at higher levels, neglecting lower zones where radon accumulates. Improving ventilation at lower levels is crucial to ensuring safer air quality and minimizing health risks for workers.