Press Release

Radon Found in Simpsonville Water

Associated Press

Simpsonville- High levels of radon have been found in drinking water near Simpsonville, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control said.

Laboratory tests found between 25,600 and 27,700 picocuries per liter of radon in samples from two homes. That's nearly 90 times the Environmental Protection Agency's recommended limit of 300 picocuries per liter.

Radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer, is formed from the radioactive decay of uranium. High levels of uranium were detected in private wells in the area in January, prompting testing by DHEC.

DHEC officials are trying to determine how widespread the contamination is.