Date Published: 01/21/2020 [Source]
Recently, two separate radon inspections were performed on the Preble County Courthouse, both finding there is a potential issue in the 100-year-old building.
The Preble County Board of Elections had the first test completed on the courthouse. According to Board Member Gene Lindley, they had this test done after smelling something suspicious in the basement, where the board is supposed to store equipment.
The board received their results from National Property Inspections on Nov. 24.
Part of the summary reads, "Radon Levels: Radon testing was conducted over a weekend with continuous monitors. The secured storage area and research room were the tested locations. The average level for each room is 7.6 & 7.4 measured in pico curies per liter (pCi/L). Our recommendation is that a licensed mitigation contractor is consulted to evaluate how that air quality can be improved to reduce the overall radon level within the building.""
This report shows five areas tested:
Radon concentration of 7.3 pCi/L was found in Microfilm Office.
Radon concentration of 7.3 pCi/L was found in Microfilm Library.
Radon concentration of 2.3 pCi/L was found in Ohio Auditor of State.
Radon concentration of 1.6 pCi/L was found in maintenance office.
Radon concentration of 6.6 pCi/L was found in Board of Elections Secured Storage.
The report states, "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) recommends that residences with radon screening levels of 4.0 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) be remediated to lower radon concentrations. U.S. EPA projects that occupants exposed to 4 pCi/L 75 percent of their 70 year lifetime will have an increased risk of lung cancer.
"The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) licenses radon testers and mitigators, and administers the radon program in Ohio. ODH recommends that public and commercial buildings be remediated if radon screening results equal or exceed 4.0 pCi/L."