EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Vanderburgh County officials have announced promising news regarding the radon issue in the basement of the old county courthouse. Elevated radon levels were detected in the building’s lower level last year, prompting officials to take swift action.
The discovery of the harmful gas led to a shift in plans for the courthouse’s long-standing haunted attraction, the Old Courthouse Catacombs, which traditionally took place in the basement. The radon levels were deemed unsafe, forcing the event to relocate to another part of the building.
Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that can pose serious health risks, including lung cancer, if individuals are exposed to it over an extended period. Following the initial discovery, county officials began efforts to address the issue, and now they have good news to share.
During a recent update, officials revealed that early tests show the radon levels in the basement have dropped significantly, reaching safe levels. However, they will conduct further testing with an independent third party to confirm the results.
A tour of the courthouse basement revealed the mitigation system in place. Ryan Goelzhauser, with Popham Construction, explained the steps taken to address the radon issue. The team has installed a submembrane depressurization system, which involves placing a vapor barrier under the basement and depressurizing the space beneath it. This system channels the radon out of the building through a series of tubes, ensuring the gas is safely vented away from occupied areas.
Goelzhauser emphasized the importance of radon testing for all homeowners, particularly in areas known for higher radon concentrations, such as parts of the Tri-State region. “If you have not tested your home for radon, I highly recommend you do,” he stated, noting that homeowners can either hire a professional or purchase a testing kit from a local hardware store.
Despite the improvements, county officials are not optimistic about future events returning to the basement of the courthouse. Commissioners have indicated that the space will likely remain vacant moving forward, used only for maintenance and repairs. The focus now is on ensuring the building is safe and habitable for other purposes, with radon mitigation being a priority.
As testing and monitoring continue, the courthouse’s radon issue serves as a reminder of the importance of regular checks and safety measures to protect against this hidden health threat.
