Radon levels cause building evacuation

Radon levels cause building evacuation

Recent radon testing of the Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA) office and Sequtachie Valley Headstart facility in the old Bledsoe County High School building have caused the offices to be evacuated, reports Mayor Gregg Ridley. The levels were not dangerous, just a few points above safe levels, but were high enough to have to move everyone out of the building, he said.

SETHRA moved its office to the RIO room housed in the Pikeville Municipal Building. The Headstart has made arrangements for the children to receive services in Dayton, provided parents can get them to that facility. Services will also be provided remotely if needed, according to Elaine Duke, Sequatchie Valley Headstart director.

Ben Farmer with Farmer|Morgan has a radon consultant who will conduct tests the week of August 26. Those findings will be averaged with the current readings to determine what action, if any is needed, to alleviate the issue. He noted, it would be a couple of weeks before a determination would be made.

For more on the radon evacuation, see the August 29 issue of The Bledsonian-Banner.