Quality control blanks are used to determine what in the radon measurement process?

Quality control blanks are essential in the radon measurement process as they help identify background radiation or bias that can affect the readings obtained from the measurement devices. When radon detectors are exposed to blank samples, which should theoretically contain no radon, any detectable levels of radon or other interference would indicate the presence of background radiation. This establishes a baseline to understand the purity of the measurement and ensures that any radon readings taken from actual samples can be accurately interpreted by accounting for background levels.

Using quality control blanks effectively allows professionals to gauge not just the specific radon content of a sample, but also ensures that the overall data collected is reliable. Thus, recognizing potential interference from background radiation is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the radon measurement process.