Date Published: 05/19/2010 [Source]
A converted barn sitting on top of a bomb shelter in Berea has been a battleground for more than a decade between firefighters and a colorless, odorless gas that can cause lung cancer.
Radon levels more than eight times what is considered safe were discovered in the station house 12 years ago, with the highest readings in the underground shelter.
The gas can seep from the ground into homes and businesses throughout the Upstate, but Greenville County is at an especially high risk.
Berea Fire Chief Gary Brock said radon levels have been brought down to safe levels by installing a ventilation system and plugging the shelter's well and drains.
But the radon solution has created another problem — mold — as fresh air pumped into the shelter creates moisture, Brock said.
Brock now is seeking County Council approval to sell $1.5 million in bonds to pay for a package of upgrades, including the construction of a new station No. 2.
Radon comes from uranium or radium that naturally breaks down in the ground and enters homes through foundation cracks, construction joints, plumbing fixtures and well water. New homes built in the county must be equipped with radon ventilation systems.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that radon levels remain below four picocuries per liter.
Residents can test their homes with kits that can be found at many home improvement stores. The state Department of Health and Environmental Control also offers free test kits.