What is the primary use of duplicates in radon measurement?

The primary use of duplicates in radon measurement is to measure precision. Precision refers to the degree to which repeated measurements under unchanged conditions show the same results. By using duplicate samples, technicians can evaluate how consistent their radon readings are, thereby assessing whether the measurement process is providing reliable results. This is crucial because even if measurements are precise, they must also be accurate and reflect the true radon levels in an environment. However, the focus here is on precision, which is indicated by the closeness of the duplicate measurements to each other.

In radon measurement, ensuring high precision allows technicians to have confidence in their results and to identify any potential variability in the measurement process that may need to be addressed.