Radon gas liberated during the aeration of groundwater is an occupational health concern for hatchery workers. This study surveyed radon levels at three locations (fish rearing tankroom, conference room, and office area) within the main hatchery building at McNenny State Fish Hatchery, Lawrence County, South Dakota, USA. Levels were recorded with and without the operation of an exhaust fan in the tankoom. Radon levels from all locations throughout the study ranged from 0.74 Bq/m3 (0.02 pCi/L) to 1446.7 Bq/m3 (39.10 pCi/L). Without the exhaust fan running, the conference room had the lowest mean ± SE radon level of 353.72 ± 34.41 Bq/m3 (9.56 ± 0.93 pCi/L) and the tankroom had the highest level at 939.8 ± 126.17 Bq/m3 (25.40 ± 3.41 pCi/L). With the exhaust fan running, the office had the lowest mean value of 28.86 ± 5.92 Bq/m3 (0.78 ± 0.16 pCi/L), and the tankroom again had the highest level of 192.4 ± 16.65 Bq/m3 (5.20 ± 0.45 pCi/L). Radon levels in all three locations were significantly correlated with the number of tanks with water running for fish production. Radon levels without remediation were well-above the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s actionable level of 4.0 pCi/L, within the enclosed hatchery building. The use of an exhaust fan significantly decreased radon levels in all locations, with radon reduced to safe levels in the office and conference room.
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