Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2024;33(6):638-641

doi:10.13491/j.issn.1004-714X.2024.06.004

Comparison of accumulation and continuation methods in indoor radon measurement

Shanshan KOU 1 ; Changsong HOU 1 ; Yanchao SONG 1 ; Haoran SUN 1 ; Hongxing CUI 1 ; Bing SHANG 1 ; Yunyun WU 1

Affiliations

+expand

Keywords

Accumulation method; Continuation method; Indoor radon concentration; Pearson correlation coefficient

Country

China

Language

Chinese

Abstract

Objective To compare the results of accumulation and continuation methods in indoor radon measurement. Methods The radon concentrations in 30 households in 7 provincial capital cities of China were simultaneously measured using both accumulation and continuation methods. Results The radon concentration measured by accumulation method in 30 households ranged from 21 to 323 Bq/m3, with a median M(P25, P75) of 70.5 (43.8, 111). The radon concentration measured by the continuation method ranged from 16.1 to 258 Bq/m³, with a median M(P25, P75) of 100 (51.3, 141). The average relative percent deviation between the two measurement methods was 41.8%. There were significant differences among the measurement results at 8, 16, and 24 h by the continuation method. Pairwise comparisons showed there were statistical diffferences between 8 h and 16 h, as well as between 8 h and 24h; however, no statistical significance was found (P < 0.05), between 16 h and 24 h. Conclusion The overall continuous measurement results of the 30 households were higher than those of cumulation method. The comparison between accumulation and continuation measurement results did not show a high level of correlation (r=0.49). The continuation method is significantly affected by environmental factors, and the length of the measurement period can affect the measurement results. The selection of indoor radon measurement methods should consider the purpose, sample size, and environmental conditions.