Employees concerned over Radon levels in Gallatin Co. building

January 16, 2010

UPDATE: Employees concerned over Radon levels in Gallatin Co. building

Posted: Jan 15, 2010 7:46 AM EST

Updated: Jan 15, 2010 1:50 PM EST

WTOL.com

WARSAW, KY (FOX19) - Test results released Friday confirm high levels of Radon

at an office building in Warsaw.

The results show that the Gallatin County building that holds the county PVA

office and Judge-executive's office has Radon levels nearly three times the

level that's acceptable for a home.

" I've been concerned for quite sometime about the health of this entire

facility, this building, " said Kenny French, Gallatin County Judge-executive.

The office was tested by Terracon Consulting in October, and the results came

back in December. The results weren't released until Friday morning.

The test revealed elevated levels of Radon, along with mold and asbestos. The

Judge-executive's office registered a Radon rating of 5.8 and the PVA office

recorded a rating of 11.8, almost three times the unsafe rating for homes, which

is 4.

French says he wasn't trying to hide the results.

" I spoke with them and they asked them when they wanted to meet to explain this

to the fiscal court so we could take an appropriate course of action, " said

French. " We agreed sometime after the first of the year. "

Terracon is running a second round of tests in the offices, and will also made

recommendations to correct problems with mold and asbestos.

Employees in the building still don't feel anything has been solved.

" I don't feel safe working there, " said Neeley.

The office will continue to be tested and French says changes are being made.

Radon is a radioactive gas created by decaying uranium found in soil. The EPA

says its responsible for 20 thousand lung cancer deaths a year. Three women who

work in the office have died of cancer-related illnesses.

" I've had one person bring it to my attention here, " said French. " I assured

them that we are taking proper steps, and that nobody is in any danger working

here in the office. "

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