Accuracy and precision of home radon monitoring and the effectiveness of EPA monitoring guidelines

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · JAPCA, International Journal of Air Pollution Control and Waste Management; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/08940630.1989.10466582· OSTI ID:5050562

Bierma, T J ^[1]; Croke, K G; Swartzman, D ^[2]

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1. Illinois State Univ., Normal (USA)
2. Univ. of Illinois, Chicago (USA)

EPA has provided guidelines to homeowners for monitoring and mitigating radon in the home. The effectiveness of these guidelines is dependent, in part, on the accuracy and precision of monitoring methods. This paper proposes a model for radon monitoring accuracy and precision based upon a review of the monitoring literature. The model is then used to quantify the extent of potential misclassification of homes by radon level from the application of EPA guidelines. Short-term monitoring performed in the basement during winter produced conservative (higher than actual) radon estimates, on average. For homes with annual concentrations of 4 pCl/L, approximately 30 percent will still have short-term results under 4 pCl/L. Underestimation of radon levels is cut by 50 percent or more by the use of monitors on first floor and basement (confirmatory monitoring) as opposed to monitoring the basement alone (screening monitoring). However, following the screening/confirmatory monitoring sequence suggested by EPA increase underestimation at radon levels under 8 pCl/L. The model was found to be sensitive to a number of the assumptions made, and specific follow-up studies are suggested.

• OSTI ID: 5050562
• Journal Information: JAPCA, International Journal of Air Pollution Control and Waste Management; (USA), Journal Name: JAPCA, International Journal of Air Pollution Control and Waste Management; (USA) Vol. 39:7; ISSN JIJME; ISSN 0894-0630
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540130* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACCURACY
AIR POLLUTION
BUILDINGS
CONTAMINATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FLUIDS
GASES
HOUSES
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MONITORING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NONMETALS
POLLUTION
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
RADON
RARE GASES
RECOMMENDATIONS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS