(Aspen, CO) Routine Radon testing at the historic Pitkin County Courthouse has revealed slightly elevated levels of the naturally occurring gas. Levels from 4.4 to 11 picocuries per liter of air were found in the basement level of the courthouse which houses the District Attorney’s office and Aspen Police Department. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends taking action to reduce radon levels if they are at or above 4 picocuries per liter of air.
“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 Facilities Superintendent, Jodi Smith.
Pitkin County facilities and environmental health officials met with courthouse employees Monday and Tuesday to discuss the findings to date, and answer questions and concerns about radon. As a result of those meetings, some District Attorney’s staff asked to be temporarily relocated. Office space on the 2nd floor of the Pitkin County Courthouse Plaza building adjacent to the courthouse has been made available while testing and mitigation are underway.
A radon remediation system has been in place in the courthouse since the last testing was done in 1998. Radon mitigation professionals are double-checking the system and making adjustments and any necessary repairs.
Pitkin County is in the process of testing all of its facilities including the Airport Terminal, Public Works and Fleet facilities. The Courthouse Plaza, Human Services and Jail have been recently tested and results revealed acceptable radon levels. Remediation has been completed in the Pitkin County Library where elevated radon levels were found two weeks ago.
Typical radon testing requires a 2-day on site testing period after which samples are sent to an outside contractor for expert analysis. Results for the courthouse are expected within a week.
Free home radon test kits are available by calling Pitkin County Environmental Health at 970-920-5070.