Like any other measurement activity, Radon gas measurement needs a quality program to evaluate and assess the test results. A Radon quality measurement program consists of Quality Control (QC) and  Quality Assurance (QA) plans. In a nutshell:

✅ The QC plans are the measures taken to increase confidence in the results.
✅ Then, the QA plans ensure that the QC plans are being done correctly and in a timely manner.

QC plans include duplicates, fields blanks, spikes, calibration, background checks, and source checks. And QA plans include creating control charts, keeping the records, and inspecting procedures. Before talking about these interesting topics 🤩, we should have a very good understanding of three concepts: PRECISION, BIAS, AND ACCURACY

Radon Measurement Quality- Precision, Bias, Accuracy

✔️ PRECISION

Consider performing multiple Radon measurements simultaneously inside a building, with the same condition and the same type of instrument. After comparing their results, the measurement is Precise if the results are close together. On the other hand, if the results are far away from each other, the measurement has poor precision.

Measurement precision should be controlled as part of the Radon QC plans. An example of this control is to perform “Duplicates^📣. “

Now let’s see why having good Precision is essential but not enough. When testing a building for Radon, the Radon level of the building is unknown. Therefore even if the multiple results are close together (good Precision), they could be far from the actual Radon concentration or the target level. In other words, there could be good Precision but poor “Bias.”

Radon Measurement Quality, Precise measurement with poor Bias

✔️ BIAS

The Bias could be associated with improperly storing the detectors or due to collecting Radon by detectors during their shipment, or it could even be a laboratory problem^🔔.

Bias shows how far the result is from the target value. But how is it possible to determine the Bias when the target value is unknown? The solution is to define a known target value equal to zero! It is achievable by measuring the Radon concentration from not exposed detectors and calculating how much the results are off from zero. This way of calculating the Bias in the Radon QC plans is called “Field blanks^📣.”

Having a good bias does not indicate that the measurement is precise too. Here is where “Accuracy” comes into the scene. An accurate measurement is Precise with good Bias.

Radon Measurement Quality, not Precise measurement with good Bias

✔️ ACCURACY

Accuracy is mainly a function of Bias (how far the measurement results are from the target value). The only way to verify the Accuracy is by exposing some sample detectors to a known Radon environment. These sample detectors are called “Spikes^📣,” and they should be part of the QC plans. Spike samples are sent to a Radon chamber (it could be a secondary Radon chamber) and exposed to predefined Radon concentration. Then the sample’s measured values are compared with the Radon chamber declared concentration to determine the measurement’s Accuracy.

Radon Measurement Quality, Precise measurement with good Bias, Accurate measurement

By understanding these three essential concepts, we are now able to go into detail and talk about Quality Controls (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) plans. So do not miss the future numbers of RadonMarket Magazine.

The post RADON MEASUREMENT QUALITY: PRECISION, BIAS, AND ACCURACY appeared first on RadonMarket Academy in English.

Reza Hosseini, PhD – Managing Director at RadonMarket, R&D Manager & NRPP MFM Certified Radon Professional at Niton srl

Here we want to talk about another instrument using a photodiode sensor, the RADON SCOUT HOME from SARAD.

RADON SCOUT HOME FROM SARAD

The instrument’s name seems to be a home user device, which could be partially correct. However, it has many features that make it a valuable tool for radon professionals too.

To start, please see this short VIDEO OF RADON SCOUT HOME and then keep reading.
Now, let’s see some technical specifications of the RADON SCOUT HOME:

+ Measurement range: 0 – 1.000.000 Bq/m³
+ Clear display with yellow backlight
+ Humidity and temperature measurement
+ High-quality housing
+ Battery and mains operation
+ USB interface
+ Time-resolved measurement
+ Large data storage
+ Can be used in workplaces and in living rooms
+ Professional Software Radon Vision
+ English as default language on display, Spanish & German on your request
+ Factory calibration certificate on request at additional cost.

The RADON SCOUT HOME is made of hard plastic, and it is a robust instrument.
There is a display, a LED indicator, and one button in front of the device.
At the bottom, there is a USB socket and a turn on/off button.

The RADON SCOUT HOME has three models. The standard model, plus the Radon sensor, measure humidity and temperature. You can add pressure or a CO² sensor to the standard model. However, for each device, only one of the pressure and CO² sensors can be added, and not both of them.

The instrument’s display shows the radon averages for the past 24h and the radon average since the start of a measurement series. To see the temperature and humidity, you need to press the button once. At this point and if you have pressure or CO² sensors included, their information will also be visible on display. By pressing the button another time, a beautiful yellow backlight illuminates. It could be helpful in dark environments.

The button under the device turns off and on the instrument.

Each time the instruments turn on, a new series of measurements starts. In this way, a professional can measure different locations and manage them easily.

One feature which separates RADON SCOUT HOME from other similar devices is the software.

The RADON VISION is one of the most completed software available to manage the radon measuring data and create reports.

The RADON SCOUT HOME connects to the software with a USB cable. It can benefit from the advantages of it without any additional cost.

The RADON VISION is freely available to download at:

The RADON SCOUT HOME is powered by the 2 x AAA battery or by using the USB socket.

The post RADON SCOUT HOME FROM SARAD appeared first on RadonMarket Academy in English.

Reza Hosseini, PhD – Managing Director at RadonMarket, R&D Manager & NRPP MFM Certified Radon Professional at Niton srl

The family of “Corentium” from Airthings includes some of the most popular instruments to measure Radon concentration in the market. This family contains Corentium Home, Corentium Plus, and Corentium Pro.

It is relatively easy to realize the unique purpose of each of these three models just by looking at their names. So let’s guess! The home version should have the essential characteristics of a standard Radon detector. The Plus version should give the users more features than what the Home version offers. And finally, the Pro version should fulfill all the needs of a Radon Professional. Surprisingly, it is true! The Corentium Home with a grey color can be used by everyone, while Corentium Plus and Pro with the yellow color are designed for more professional users.

Looking closely at the Corentium Home and Corentium Plus, we see similar shapes, dimensions, and screen sizes. The only notable change is in their front face colors. Of course, this is not the only difference between these two models. In the following, we will see the main similarities and differences between Corentium Home and Corentium Plus from Airthings.

Left: Corentium Plus, Right: Corentium Home

Both of these instruments are using Solid State Silicon detectors.

If you are not familiar with the different types of Radon sensors, you can read the RadonMarket Mag no.04, in which you will find an article dedicated to this topic.

RadonMarket Mag, 20.04

Both Home and Plus versions have a passive Radon diffusion chamber and use alpha spectrometry as their detection method.
The measurement range of the Corentium Home is from 0 Bq/m³ to the upper display limit of 9999 Bq/m³. The measurement range of the Corentium Plus is also started from 0 Bq/m³ and has the same upper display limit of 9999 Bq/m³. However, according to the Airthings, Corentium Plus has a higher measurement range than the upper display limit. In the published specifications, the measurement range for Corentium Plus is given equal to 50000 Bq/m³, and in the user manual is given equal to 37000 Bq/m³.

The diffusion time constant is equal to 25 minutes and is only mentioned for Corentium Plus.
However, considering the almost identical geometry of both instruments, it could assume the same value for Corentium Home as well.

The measurement precision for the Corentium Home is indicated as:

And the measurement precision and accuracy of Corentium Plus is provided as:

While Corentium home will not give you other information than the Radon concentration measurements, the Corentium Plus is equipped with four more sensors. With the temperature, humidity, pressure, and tilt sensors of the Corentium Plus, you have all you need to perform a professional Radon measurement.

Both instruments work with 3 AAA alkaline battery. The battery life for Corentium Home is over two years. You can imagine that including four more sensors could reduce the battery life of the Corentium Plus compare to the Home version. Indeed, the 3 AAA alkaline batteries are sufficient to perform continuous monitoring for approximately 1.5 years, which is impressive.

The Corentium Plus does not stop surprising you here. With the Plus version of Corentium, you can have hourly readings and export all these readings to a PC via a USB cable. Visualizing the data, preparing a report, and more would be possible thanks to the software that comes free of charge with the instrument. It is also possible to keep a history of 10 years measurements at 1 hour time resolutions inside the Corentium Plus because of its extra internal memory.

Both instruments have RESET and MODE buttons on the back.

RESET is used to restart the instrument before a new measurement. This operation removes all stored radon data.

MODE is used to get information on the number of measurement days since the instrument started for the first time or the last RESET operation. This information is displayed on the lower half of the screen for20 seconds before the screen returns to the ordinary display.

The package of the Corentium Home is clean and simple. Besides the instrument itself, you will find 3 AAA batteries and a User Manual. Inside the Corentium Plus package, more than the instìstruments, batteries, and the user manual, you will find a Memory stick with the software and Software manual plus a USB-cable (micro-B plug to Type-A plug).

Contrary to the Corentium Pro, the Home and Plus versions do not have a protective case. So if you want to keep your instrument safe, you need to buy it separately (RadonMarket Exclusive).

Protective case for Corentium Plus & Corentium Home:

In the table below, you can see a complete comparison between Corentium Home and the Corentium Plus:

Naturally, all of the advantages of the Plus version come with a higher price. By now, the choice between Corentium Home and Corentium Plus should not be difficult anymore. However, do not hesitate to contact our professionals at info@RadonMarket.com to receive personal assistance if you are still in doubt.

The last instrument from the Corentium family is the Corentium Pro.

If you are curious to know more about the Pro version, do not miss the upcoming RadonMarket Mag.

Corentium Pro by Airthings

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