Final answer:
The minimum deployment time for a short-term radon test is typically 48 to 96 hours, with pre-test closed-house conditions needed for at least 12 hours before starting the test.
Step-by-step explanation:
The minimum deployment time for a short-term radon test, under the assumption that closed house/building conditions existed for 12 hours prior to deployment, is generally 48 to 96 hours (2 to 4 days). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that closed-house conditions are maintained for at least 12 hours before beginning a short-term radon test, and that the test should then continue for the following 48 to 96 hours for accurate results. Treating the scenario either as the test being on for a full 48 hours or operating at half-power (or less frequent measurement intervals) for 96 hours will yield equivalent results in terms of radon level assessment.
The minimum deployment time for a short-term test can be determined by either treating it as if it is only on for 12 hours or operating at half-power for 24 hours. Let's consider the scenario where the test is treated as being on for 12 hours. If the closed house/building conditions existed 12 hours prior to deployment, it means the test has been running for 12 hours. Therefore, the minimum deployment time would be 12 hours.