High Radon Levels Discovered in Aspen Courthouse

April 7, 2015- Elevated levels of the naturally occurring, radioactive gas radon were recently detected in the basement of the Pitkin County Courthouse in Aspen, Colo.

Levels from 4.4 to 11 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) were found in the building, according to a county statement.
The EPA suggests taking action for levels above 4 pCi/L, and notes that the risk of contracting lung cancer from radon exposure is much higher for smokers.

According to the EPA’s website, the average indoor radon level is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L. About 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer.
Radon has no color, odor or taste, and is a byproduct of the decay of uranium in the soil.

“We are following EPA protocol and are re-testing the air in the courthouse basement and are immediately mitigating areas that show elevated radon levels,” said Jodi Smith, county facilities superintendent, in a statement.

Read the full aspendailynews.com post here.

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