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Answer to Question #7498 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"Category: Radon The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field: Q
I recently conducted air sampling in my basement with a passive alpha track film cannister. I only ran the test for 79 days. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends 90 days. The lab will not analyze it. Can I get a count from the lab and do the math myself? I realize it affects the lab's quality control since it is under 90 days. What formula can I use if they give me a count? I had used a short-term test and found between 1 and 2 pCi/L. I have a three-year-old and limited funds and need to sleep at night knowing she is safe. I cannot turn back the clock and get that time back. It was peak exposure during the winter. Now the windows are open. If not, can I get the sample back and send it to another lab that can give me results? What would the ballpark cost of analysis be?
A
A lab should be able to give you a qualified estimate of your radon concentration based on the 79 days of exposure, versus the normal value of 90 days or more. It should only require an adjustment for the exposure time. Because the time is less than normal, the lab would be understandably reluctant to provide an unqualified result, for which all procedural and quality measures would have had to fall within specifications. There would be fewer alpha tracks than would be produced by the same radon concentration in 90 days, and the measurement uncertainty would be somewhat larger. The lab should qualify the value as an "estimate" rather than a regular result, however.
Providing estimates of the results from sample analyses is a normal practice in radiological analysis labs when procedures are not followed exactly or other quality assurance aspects of a measurement are out of specification by small amounts. This is especially appropriate in a case such as yours when the exact measurement cannot be reperformed and a new measurement cannot be performed in a reasonable length of time. I suggest trying to contact the laboratory again to request an estimate of the concentration from the available data. Do not hesitate to ask to speak to a supervisor or technical person if you get another unqualified "no."
Answer posted on 12 May 2008. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
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