Situation Report Radiation Report At Barrier Depth GRK-09212025-01

[Edgar Hoover]

SITUATION REPORT (SITREP)

Report ID: GRK-09212025-01

Date/Time: 21 September 2025 / 1200Z

Subject: Assessment of Radiation Levels (Microsieverts) at Depth in the “1337 Mushroom Road” Facility, Olive Hill, Kentucky

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED // PUBLIC DOMAIN INFO

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

No specific article or documented report was identified through comprehensive web and X (formerly Twitter) searches regarding radiation levels measured in microsieverts (μSv) at a depth or distance of 1.13 miles inside a “fortress” at “1337 Mushroom Road,” Olive Hill, Kentucky. The query appears to reference the abandoned “Mushroom Mines” (also known as the Lawton Limestone Mine or Tygart Limestone Mine), a real underground site near Olive Hill in Carter County, Kentucky. This location is an extensive abandoned limestone quarry system repurposed for mushroom farming in the 1960s-1980s, now a popular urban exploration spot with reported hauntings and safety hazards.

Radiation concerns in such sites typically stem from naturally occurring radon gas, common in Kentucky’s karst geology. Carter County is designated as an EPA Radon Zone 1 area (highest risk), with potential for elevated radon concentrations in underground environments. While no exact measurements at 1.13 miles inside the mines were found, general data on similar sites suggests dose rates could range from 0.5–5 μSv/hour or higher due to radon accumulation, posing health risks for prolonged exposure. No evidence of artificial radiation sources (e.g., nuclear materials) was uncovered.

Recommendation: Avoid unauthorized entry due to structural instability, poor air quality, and potential radon exposure. Professional radon testing advised for any occupied underground sites in the region.

2. BACKGROUND AND LOCATION DETAILS

•  Site Identification: The “1337 Mushroom Road” likely alludes to the Mushroom Mines, located off KY-182 near Lawton, approximately 5 miles from Olive Hill, Kentucky (coordinates approx. 38.300°N, 83.100°W). “1337” may be leetspeak for “elite,” possibly a fictional or stylized address. The site is not a “fortress” but an industrial mine complex with multiple large entrances carved into a hillside. Originally a limestone operation (Tygart Limestone Company, closed post-WWII), it was converted to mushroom cultivation by Kentucky farmers in the mid-1960s, operating until the mid-1980s. The mines feature leveled floors, sealed secondary entrances, and an underground lake in deeper sections.

•  Physical Extent: The mine system extends horizontally for several miles underground, with chambers up to 30-50 feet high and wide. “Depth of 1.13 miles” (approx. 1.82 km or 6,000 feet) likely refers to distance from an entrance rather than vertical depth, as the mines are primarily horizontal. Explorers report traversing up to 1-2 miles inside, with diminishing light and ventilation.

•  Current Status: Abandoned and unsecured, attracting urban explorers, ghost hunters, and occasional criminal activity. Notable incidents include the 2004 discovery of two bodies (a missing couple) about 0.25 miles inside . The site is privately owned but not actively maintained; local authorities warn against entry due to collapse risks, flooding, and air quality issues. Future development proposals (e.g., “Mega Caverns” concept in 2015) have not materialized .

3. RADIATION ASSESSMENT

•  Context: No dedicated article or study on microsieverts specifically at this site and depth was located. Searches for “microsieverts Mushroom Mines Olive Hill Kentucky” and related terms yielded no matches. However, Kentucky’s geology—rich in limestone and shale—promotes radon emanation from uranium decay in rocks. Radon (a colorless, odorless radioactive gas) and its decay products can accumulate in poorly ventilated underground spaces, contributing to alpha radiation exposure measured in effective dose units like microsieverts.

•  Regional Radon Data:

•  Carter County is in EPA Radon Zone 1: Predicted average indoor radon screening levels >4 pCi/L (148 Bq/m³), the highest risk category  . The EPA recommends mitigation above this threshold, as there is no safe level of radon exposure; it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking .

•  In Kentucky shales and limestones, median soil-gas radon values range from 67–189 Bq/m³, with higher concentrations in enclosed spaces .

•  Underground environments like caves and mines amplify risks: In similar Kentucky sites (e.g., Mammoth Cave), radon levels can reach 100–1,000 Bq/m³, leading to annual doses of 1–10 mSv for frequent occupants .

•  Estimated Dose at Depth:

•  Background radiation (cosmic + terrestrial) is ~0.1–0.3 μSv/hour globally.

•  Radon contribution in unventilated mines: Based on ICRP coefficients, a concentration of 200 Bq/m³ (common in Zone 1 underground) yields an effective dose rate of ~0.5–2 μSv/hour (assuming 0.4 equilibrium factor and 9 nSv/(Bq·h/m³) conversion).

•  At deeper/less ventilated points (e.g., 1.13 miles inside), levels could escalate to 500–2,000 Bq/m³, resulting in 1–10 μSv/hour or more, especially near water sources like the underground lake where radon solubility increases.

•  No evidence of elevated artificial radiation (e.g., from waste dumping or experiments); risks are purely natural.

•  Health Implications: Short-term exposure (e.g., exploration) poses minimal risk (<1 μSv total for a few hours), but prolonged stays could exceed occupational limits (20 mSv/year). Synergistic with smoking.

4. THREATS AND HAZARDS

•  Environmental: High radon potential; poor ventilation deep inside increases CO2, methane, and radon buildup. Flooding risks from underground water.

•  Structural: Unstable ceilings; history of collapses. Explorers report total darkness beyond initial chambers  .

•  Human: Trespassing site; reports of “hauntings,” vandalism, and encounters with transients. X posts and Reddit threads describe eerie experiences but no confirmed supernatural activity  .

•  Legal: Private property; entry prohibited without permission. Local law enforcement monitors for safety.

5. RECOMMENDATIONS

•  Conduct targeted radon surveys if site redevelopment occurs.

•  Public awareness: Educate on Kentucky radon risks via resources like the University of Kentucky Geological Survey  or EPA maps .

•  If additional details on a specific “article” are available (e.g., source link), provide for further analysis.

•  Mission Status: Complete – No imminent threats identified beyond standard environmental hazards.

End of Report.