What should be the focus when selecting locations for short-term radon tests?

The focus when selecting locations for short-term radon tests should be on conducting the tests at the same time and location, but ensuring that the test devices are placed at least 4-8 inches apart. This approach helps ensure that the readings reflect the radon levels in that specific area of the home while minimizing interference from environmental conditions or variations in radon concentration that could occur if devices are too close together.

By placing the devices in close proximity but with enough distance to allow for individual measurements, it is possible to gather data that accounts for any minor fluctuations in radon levels due to microenvironments, such as differences in ventilation, room usage, or proximity to radon entry points. Additionally, this method helps to ensure that you are capturing a comparable sampling situation, leading to more accurate and reliable results for evaluating radon levels.

In contrast, spreading test locations too far apart could lead to significant variations in results that do not accurately represent the radon levels in the basement or home as a whole, and testing the same location at varying heights may not effectively capture horizontal differences in radon distribution within a single room or area. While testing different rooms can provide useful comparative results in a full evaluation, the focus on a single location ensures tighter control