Radon testing
In brief:
- Only a radon measurement provides clarity about one’s situation.
- The longer the measurement, the more accurate the measurement result
- You can order radon measurement equipment from us
How do we measure Radon?
Radon concentrations vary depending on the time of year or day. To obtain meaningful measurements, radon measurements with active measuring devices should last at least 14 days.
At Aristotle Consulting, we measure Radon with active measuring devices.
Advantage:
A variation in radon concentration can be detected after only a short time.
After the measurements, you receive a short report with graphs showing the radon concentration over the measurement period.
What is the process of a measurement?
- You order a radon monitor for 2 weeks or more
- We send you the measuring device with a form. In this form, enter the measurement location(s) and the start and end time. If applicable, also indicate when an air change takes place.
- After completing the measurements, return the device to us.
- We will read the data and produce the measurement report with graphs and the determined measurement values.
Would you like us to determine the correct measurement points at your site? You can also order an installation. We deliver and install the monitor personally. You return the monitor to us by post after the measurements.
Radon concentration in occupied spaces – the annual average
A reliable assessment of radon exposure in buildings can only be established through measurements. In this context, annual average values of radon concentrations in the main occupied spaces should be collected to decide on the need for radon protection measures.
If the results of measurements are high, the requirements for the scope and effectiveness of long-term protective measures should also be at a high level.
The increased health risk results from decades of exposure to radon. Because of the long residence times, special attention should be paid to the residence rooms. The planning of measurements should be preceded by a characterisation of the existing spaces in a building.
Residence spaces are indoor spaces intended for the not only temporary stay of persons of the population, e.g. in a school, a hospital, a kindergarten or for living.
The radon concentration in accommodation spaces depends not only on the radon sources and the radon diffusion pathways, but also to a large extent on the weather conditions, the type of use of the space, the air conditioning and ventilation in the space, and the behaviour of the occupants, and is and is therefore subject to strong temporal fluctuations.
We have the necessary knowledge of measurement technology and methods to guide professional measurements.
Radon concentrations can be typical and cyclical for different occupied spaces, e.g. determined by periods of use and non-use.
It should be taken into account that the annual mean in a room varies over many years, with a standard deviation of about 30 % from the mean value.
This means: In a room where an annual average of 100 Bq/m3 is measured, there is a probability of about 70 % that the radon concentration in the previous year or the following year will be between 70 Bq/m3 and 130 Bq/m3.
Evaluation of measurement results, reporting
As part of the evaluation of the measurement result, whether the value is below the reference value of 100 Bq/m3 is checked. If the value is clearly below the reference value, no further action is necessary. In case of measured values above the reference value, a thorough investigation of the situation is advisable.
The following information is passed on to the client:
– measurement method
– floor and room
– exposure period
– radon concentration measured in each room in Bq/m3
– measurement uncertainty
