The Nation - News from June 3, 1988

Unhealthy levels of radioactive radon gas have been found in buildings at the Air Force Academy and two U.S. air bases, the Air Force said. Radon is a colorless, odorless natural gas that seeps into buildings from decaying uranium in the soil. Scientists say inhaled radon may increase the risk of lung cancer. Results of an Air Force sampling of soil for radon gas showed that in addition to the Colorado academy, buildings at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, also had readings above 20 picocuries per liter, the level at which the federal Environmental Protection Agency recommends corrective action, such as sealing foundation cracks or installing new ventilation systems, be taken. In addition, 4,404 samples from 135 major bases found that another 49 bases have buildings with radon levels between 4 and 20 picocuries, less dangerous, but unacceptable by EPA standards, the service said.