The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Whales back in their home pod
By Mark Reaman
The radon mediation work at Paradise Place Preschool was completed on November 4 and appears to have done the job. The school’s Whale students moved back into the basement classroom on Monday, November 21.
According to Paradise Place Preschool executive director Ben Poswalk, Kevin Donovan of MB Builders got the work done on time. There were no surprises as a result of the work and the latest radon readings are well under Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations.
“The reports are available at the school if anyone would like to see them,” Poswalk said. “The main floor had a recent reading of 0.5 pCi/L [pico Curies per liter of air]. The basement with the Whales classroom registered a 0.9 pCi/L and 0.6 pCi/L on the two separate dates it was measured. Keep in mind that the EPA recommends taking action if radon levels are measured above 4.0 pCi/L.”
The school had tested for radon last August and a 7.3 pCi/L reading was taken. That prompted the remediation action and the movement of the Whales out of the regular classroom and over to the Union Congregation Church. Donovan, a certified radon mitigation contractor, was contacted to do the work.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is colorless and odorless. It is common in all 50 states and Colorado is ranked sixth in the nation for high radon levels. Radon enters buildings through crawlspaces and foundations.
“Kevin was great to work with and we are extremely pleased that the project has obviously been a success,” said Poswalk. “One of the best outcomes is that many families have now tested their homes for radon, which is recommended.”
