Consideration of measurement error when using commercial indoor radon determinations for selecting radon action levels |
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Authors: | G. M. Reimer S. L. Szarzi M. P. Dolan |
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Affiliation: | (1) Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, 80401 Golden, CO, USA;(2) US Geological Survey, 80225 Denver, CO, USA |
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Abstract: | An examination of year-long, in-home radon measurement in Colorado from commercial companies applying typical methods indicates that considerable variation in precision exsts. This variation can have a substantial impact on any mitigation decisions, either voluntary or mandated by law, especially regarding property sale or exchange. Both long-term exposure (nuclear track greater than 90 days), and short-term (charcoal adsorption 4–7 days) exposure methods were used. In addition, periods of continuous monitoring with a highly calibrated alpha-scintillometer took place for accuracy calibration. The results of duplicate commercial analysis show that typical results are no better than ±25 percent with occasional outliers (up to 5 percent of all analyses) well beyond that limit. Differential seasonal measurements (winter/summer) by short-term methods provide equivalent information to single long-term measurements. Action levels in the U.S. for possible mitigation decisions should be selected so that they consider the measurement variability; specifically, they should reflect a concentration range similar to that adopted by the European Community. |
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