skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Does 4 equal 2 Decisions based on radon measurements

Journal Article · · American Journal of Public Health; (USA)
 [1]
  1. New York Univ. Medical Center, New York, NY (USA)

A variation in precision (average of 15%) and accuracy (5 to 68%) of 8 radon detectors from 6 vendors at a test level of 10pCi/L was observed. In the majority of U.S. homes the level is about 1 to 2 pCi/L, and the precision and accuracy of radon measurements at this low level is much less. Quality control of radon detectors is performed at 3 sites in the U.S., none of which check the meters at the lower levels which are the norm in homes. It is better for homeowners to use duplicate detectors and take multiple measurements of radon levels at different times and different sites within opposite seasons since there is also a variability of radon levels over time. The observed values can be averaged and compared to the EPA limit of 4pCi/L.

OSTI ID:
5870511
Journal Information:
American Journal of Public Health; (USA), Vol. 80:8
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English