What percentage of tests should result in blanks to ensure accuracy?

To ensure the accuracy of radon testing results, maintaining a certain percentage of blank tests is crucial. The correct focus here is that a 5% rate for blank tests serves as a standard benchmark in industry practices. This percentage is based on the accepted quality control protocols to help identify any potential contamination or issues with the testing process. By having 5% of the tests as blanks, it becomes easier to ascertain the reliability of the test kits and procedures employed.

If the percentage of blank tests falls below this standard, the confidence in the accuracy of the results may be compromised since there would be insufficient data to validate the integrity and reliability of the samples. Therefore, the use of 5% blank tests acts as a safeguard in radon testing protocols, ensuring that any anomalous readings can be effectively traced back to possible errors in the sampling or testing process.