Date Published: 11/15/2007 [Source]
Town of Kinderhook Republican chairman Kevin Colwell distributed copies of inspections from 2004 that showed a level of 4.0 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/l) in the Pine building and 7.3 pCi/l in the Spruce building. The federal Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. surgeon general both recommend remediation for radon, a naturally occurring, radioactive gas, when it is present at levels above 4.0. The Spruce building includes a senior center and a satellite facility for the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, while the Pine building houses the Town Building Department.
Town Supervisor Doug McGivney provided test results for the same buildings that were taken in recent weeks. The Pine Building measured 0.2 pCi/l, and the Spruce building 0.6 pCi/l as measured on the first floor of each building. Those levels are well below the level for recommended action. Mr. McGivney said that there is no cause for alarm. "Right from the beginning we were told there was no danger.
Individuals can test their homes using test kits from www.radon.com.