Montville ― An air quality consultant is testing the basement of the Montville Fire Company #1 firehouse for the presence of radon gas.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency describes radon as a radioactive gas that is produced naturally by uranium breaking down in rocks, soil and water, and says prolonged exposure can cause lung cancer.

“It’s being tested for right now,” Fire Marshal Paul Barnes said Tuesday. “But it’s strictly precautionary, that’s all.”

In the meantime, the fire station will be staffed only by volunteer firefighters. Mayor Leonard “Lenny” Bunnell made the decision Monday to move paid firefighters ― two of whom usually spend half their 24-hour shifts at the station ― to spend their entire shifts at the Mohegan fire department until testing is over later this week.

Montville Fire Chief Ron Turner said the testing, which is being conducted by Mystic Air Quality Consultants, began Monday and is expected to be finished Thursday. Results should be available early next week, he said.

Residents on several town Facebook forums Monday claimed the fire station was closed.

But Turner took to the podium at Monday night’s Public Safety Commission meeting to “quell” the rumor about the station being shut down.

“They’re up, fully operating and responding to calls,” Turner said.

“They’re not shut down,” Barnes added Tuesday.

Turner said a firefighter had brought his own at-home radon test to the station and found levels that were double the state’s limit.

Turner said he never saw the test, which is why he brought in Mystic Air Quality Consultants.

He added that there’s ways of fixing radon problems but that he doesn’t know how long it would take or how much it would cost the department.

The EPA says examples of radon reduction measures include special fans and venting that help circulate accumulated radon gas outside the home.

“It’s in the beginning stages,” Turner said. “So, the next five days are in limbo. That’s where we’re at.”

d.drainville@theday.com