Elevated Radon Levels in Washougal Prompt Evacuation of City Hall

It seems that few people in SW Washington, including consumers and real estate professionals, know that the EPA rates Clark County and Skamania County in "ZONE 1", meaning that, on average, the EPA considers these counties to have the highest potential for radon levels in homes warranting remediation. "Zone 1" or "Red" is their highest average rating for a County. See map here: http://www.epa.gov/radon/states/images/washington.gif and see information on what the map means here: http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html#mapcolors

While SW Washington (Clark and Skamania Counties in particular) have the EPA's highest rating, radon measurement during real estate transactions is very rare, and I have found that most real estate professionals, as noted above, seem to dismiss the radon concern outright.

This is interesting because right across the river, in Oregon, a very high percentage of homes inspected have, among other things, radon testing performed. Consumers and realtors alike seem to expect it more. And yet, the EPA rates these areas lower than SW Washington: http://www.epa.gov/radon/states/images/oregon.gif

The only way to determine whether radon levels in a home are high or not is to test that specific home (or building).

Washougal recently had elevated levels of radon which lead to an evacuation of the building. It is recommended that all areas in downtown Washougal have radon testing performed. If interested, please contact us at 360.907.9648

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WASHOUGAL, Wash. -- A radon scare in Washougal has spread to other city buildings. No one is in immediate danger, but workers are being relocated to other city offices during testing.

Radon experts were inside Washougal City Hall all day long Monday, working to keep radon gas from coming inside. The basement tested up to six times higher than what's considered normal radon levels, prompting a temporary evacuation.

Radon comes from uranium-rich soil dropped in this region by glacial flooding thousands of years ago. So far this week, two other city buildings tested above-normal in radon levels. Work may be necessary at those buildings.

Continue Reading Here: http://www.kgw.com/home/Washougal-radon-concerns-spread-92143824.html