What is the primary concern with activated charcoal and liquid scintillation devices during testing?

The primary concern with activated charcoal and liquid scintillation devices during radon testing is their potential bias towards the latter portion of the testing period. This means that these devices may be more responsive to radon measurements taken towards the end of the testing duration, which can lead to a skewed representation of the overall radon concentration throughout the entire testing period. The design and functionality of these measurement devices may capture variations in radon levels that occur later, thus influencing the final results and potentially leading to misinterpretation regarding the average radon exposure over the designated testing time.

Understanding this bias is crucial for accurate data interpretation and ensures that results reflect a comprehensive view of radon levels, rather than being disproportionately influenced by readings taken at specific times.