Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown (decay) of uranium in soil and rocks.

ODH recommends that you have a radon test performed before you purchase a home. Ask the homeowner if they have had the home tested. If the homeowner has not tested the home, hire an Ohio licensed radon tester to perform a radon test. If the homeowner has tested their home, they should provide you with the test results. It is important to verify if the radon test was done properly and according to Ohio rules.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) recommends performing a radon test before selling your home. If your home has elevated levels of indoor radon, you should have a radon mitigation system installed to lower the radon levels.

Exposure to elevated levels of radon over the course of your lifetime increases your risk of developing lung cancer. The surgeon general has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon is also the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Smoking greatly increases your risk of getting lung cancer from radon exposure.

Radon moves into your home by migrating through cracks or openings in the foundation. Any home can have elevated levels of radon, whether or not you have a basement and regardless of if your home is old or new.

Elevated levels of indoor radon have been found in homes in all 88 counties of Ohio. Every year approximately 50% of all homes tested in Ohio have elevated levels of radon.

The Techniques Work
Simple and inexpensive techniques reduce radon levels on average by 50%. The techniques may also lower levels of other soil gases and decrease moisture problems.

It is Cost Effective
Building in the features is much cheaper than fixing a radon problem later. Installing a radon mitigation system in a home after it is built can cost $2,000 or more.

It Saves Money
The techniques described here also make your home more energy efficient and could provide you savings in your energy costs.