Measurement and Quantitative Analysis of Ozone Generation in Radiation Treatment Room Due to High-Energy Photon

Ozone generation in radiation treatment rooms poses a health risk due to high-energy photon interactions with air molecules. This study quantifies ozone concentration under varying conditions and assesses its impact on occupational exposure. Using a self-designed phantom, ozone measurements were taken under various conditions, including different photon energies (i.e., 6 and 15 MV), dose rates (i.e., 300 and 600 MU/min), and doses (i.e., 500 and 1,000 MU), with each condition measured ten times. Results showed that ozone concentration increased significantly with higher photon energy and dose, while the dose rate had a minimal effect, except at 15 MV. The highest ozone level (0.161 ± 0.003 ppm) exceeded FDA medical device limits and air quality standards. Ozone persisted for six minutes before normalizing, posing potential health risks to workers. These findings highlight the need for improved ventilation strategies in radiation treatment rooms.