A naturally occurring, radioactive gas is lingering in the homes of millions of Ohioans.
Radon, considered the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, has been recorded at high levels throughout Ohio.
At least 25 counties —including both Franklin and Licking counties— have high average levels of radon, according to data from the Ohio Department of Health.
But some Ohioans may have never even heard of the odorless, colorless gas that can enter homes through basements or concrete slab foundations. Many may have only heard of radon when they bought their first home.
Here’s everything Ohioans need to know about the dangers of radon.
What is radon and why is radon dangerous?
Radon is a gas that forms when certain metals, such as uranium, thorium, or radium, break down in soil or groundwater, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Residents are at risk of unknowingly inhaling the toxic gas once it gets into their homes. While radon is usually the most concentrated in basements, it can also pose a risk on the first floor of homes that don’t have a basement, according to the EPA.
Radon is dangerous because it is believed to be the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. At least 21,000 Americans die every year of radon-related lung cancer, including an estimated 2,900 who have never once smoked, according to the EPA.
Radon, a toxic gas lurking in some Ohio homes, is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.
At the same time, more studies are connecting radon with other health problems.
A 2024 Oregon State University study linked radon to increased rates of leukemia in children. Leukemia, which is the most common cancer in children, attacks a person’s blood and bone marrow, according the university.
In general, radon is known to cause DNA and cell damage, according to Columbia University. Studies have proven that radon can also get into a person’s bloodstream and cause inflammation in the brain, a known risk factor for dementia, according to Columbia University.
How much radon is too much radon?
There is no safe level of radon, per se.
But, once radon reaches certain levels, it can pose a bigger threat. Both the EPA and the World Health Organization make recommendations for radon levels in homes.
The EPA uses a measurement known as picocuries per liter (pCi/L) to gauge radon levels. The federal agency recommends homeowners consider radon mitigation options if their homes test at 4 pCi/L or more, while the WHO suggests mitigation when radon levels are at 2.7 pCi/L or more, according to each organization.
Living in a home with radon levels of 4 pCi/L is the equivalent of having roughly 200 chest x-rays a year or smoking eight cigarettes a day, according to a toxicology profile conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
How do you test for radon and how can you get rid of radon?
The price to test for radon depends on how it’s done.
Mail-in test kits are available at hardware stores for around $20 or so, while continuous monitors typically cost around $100 or more. Prices vary from around $150 to $300 to hire a licensed company to test for the gas, according to the National Radon Defense, a national network of radon professionals.
The Ohio Department of Health offers free radon test kits to Ohio residents, who can sign up to receive one online.
To hire someone to test for radon, Ohioans can check out this list of professionals from the Ohio Department of Health.
If a test returns a result that shows radon is at a dangerous level, homeowners can consider hiring someone to install a mitigation system. Systems typically cost between $500 and $2,500, and installation can also cost up to $2,500, depending on the type of system and the building where it’s being installed, according to National Radon Defense.
Sign up to get your home tested for radon for free
The Dispatch is partnering with a licensed radon professional to test some homes in and around central Ohio, including some in Newark and Licking County. Studies have found homes in Licking County have some of the highest levels of radon in Ohio and even the country.
If you or someone you know has been affected by radon, please fill out the form at Dispatch.com/radon. If you have not suffered a health issue due to radon but are interested in having your home tested for free, you can provide your information in the form below as well.
Submitting the form does not guarantee testing. The Dispatch will contact respondents about potential tests.
You can also email reporter Max Filby at mfilby@dispatch.com.
Dispatch investigative reporter Max Filby can be reached by email at mfilby@dispatch.com. Find him on X at the handle @MaxFilby or on Facebook at @ReporterMaxFilby.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: High radon levels are like smoking 8 cigarettes a day. How to test