True or False: Evaporative coolers can be used during a short-term radon test.

Evaporative coolers, which are also known as swamp coolers, introduce moisture into the air while cooling it. The operation of these coolers can significantly affect indoor air pressure and ventilation patterns, which in turn can influence the radon levels measured during a short-term test. For accurate radon testing, conditions must remain as stable as possible, and the presence of additional moisture can alter the dynamics of air movement and pressure, potentially leading to misleading test results.

For this reason, it is critical to keep systems like evaporative coolers turned off during a short-term radon test to ensure that the test accurately reflects the radon concentration in the indoor environment. The integrity of the test can be compromised by the operation of such systems, leading to variability in radon levels that would not represent typical conditions. This understanding is essential for anyone involved in radon testing, as maintaining controlled conditions is key to obtaining valid measurements.