title: An analysis of the radioactive contamination due to radon in a granite processing plant and its decontamination by ventilation.
abstract: This work focuses on studying concentration distribution of222Rn radioisotope in a granite processing plant. Using Computational Fluid Dynamic Techniques (CFD), the exposure of the workers to radiation was assessed and, in order to minimise this exposure, different decontamination scenarios using ventilation were analysed. Natural ventilation showed not sufficient to maintain radon concentration below acceptable limits, so a forced ventilation was used instead. Position of the granite blocks also revealed as a determining factor in the radioactive level distribution. Thus, a correct layout of the stored material and an adequate ventilation system can guarantee free of exposure to radiation zones within the studied workshop. This leads to a drastic fall in the exposure of the workers and consequently minimises their risk of developing aggressive illness like lung cancer.
authors.affiliation: Public University of Navarre, Campus de Arrosadía, 31006 Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Pedro M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Dieguez-Elizondo
authors.affiliation: Madrid Polytechnic University, Avda. Juan de Herrera, 6, 28040 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: tomas.gill@upm.es.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gil-Lopez
authors.affiliation: Madrid Polytechnic University, Avda. Juan de Herrera, 6, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Paul G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: O'Donohoe
authors.affiliation: Madrid Polytechnic University, Avda. Juan de Herrera, 6, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Castejon-Navas
authors.affiliation: Federico Santa María Technical University, Avenida España, 1680 Valparaíso, Chile.
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Galvez-Huerta
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D000398:Air Pollution, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis; D003252:Construction Materials; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D014691:Ventilation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; C007886:granite; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D011886:Radon
keywords: Air pollution; Granite storage; Human health; Radioactive contamination; Radon; Ventilation