Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It has no color, no smell, and no taste, which means there’s no way to know it’s in your home without testing for it. Radon seeps up through the ground and enters buildings through foundation cracks, sump pits, and gaps around pipes, where it can build up to levels that pose a real health risk over time.
The EPA classifies radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, behind only smoking. In Central Ohio, the risk is higher than the national average because of the region’s geology, which we cover further down this page.
Where Does Radon Come From?
Radon starts as uranium, a naturally occurring element found in soil, rock, and groundwater almost everywhere on Earth. As uranium decays over thousands of years, it passes through several radioactive elements, including radium, before breaking down into radon gas.
Because radon is a gas, it moves. It travels up through soil and rock, following cracks, gaps, and porous ground until it reaches the surface. Outdoors, it disperses into the air and isn’t a concern at any measurable level. Indoors, in a basement, crawlspace, or slab foundation, it gets trapped, and concentrations can build up far higher than they’d ever reach in open air.
Radon can enter a home through:
- Cracks in foundation walls and slabs
- Gaps around pipes and utility penetrations
- Sump pits and floor drains
- Construction joints where walls meet the floor
- Exposed dirt in crawlspaces
- Well water, in some cases, though soil gas is the primary entry point in most homes
Is Radon Dangerous?
Yes. Radon is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization, the same category as asbestos and tobacco smoke. When radon gas is inhaled, it decays further inside the lungs, releasing radioactive particles that damage lung tissue over time. This damage accumulates with prolonged exposure, which is why radon risk is measured in long-term averages rather than single readings.
The EPA estimates radon exposure contributes to roughly 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year. For smokers, the risk from radon exposure compounds with the risk from smoking, making the combined danger significantly higher than either exposure alone.
Radon exposure doesn’t cause immediate symptoms. There’s no cough, no headache, no warning sign tied directly to it. The only way to know your risk is to test.
How Is Radon Measured?
Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air, written as pCi/L. The EPA’s action level is 4.0 pCi/L. At or above that level, the EPA recommends mitigation. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, the EPA still recommends considering mitigation, since no level of radon exposure is entirely risk-free.
For context, outdoor air typically averages around 0.4 pCi/L. A home testing at 4.0 pCi/L has radon levels ten times higher than the outdoor air surrounding it, and some homes test significantly higher than that.
How Do You Test for Radon?
Testing is the only way to know your home’s radon level, and it’s inexpensive compared to the risk it rules out.
Short-term Test Kits
Long-term Test Kits
Professional Testing
What Happens If Your Home Tests High?
Radon in Columbus, Ohio
Why Columbus Homeowners Choose Ohio Radon Control
Proven Track Record
5,000+ systems installed and 6,500+ homes tested across Ohio.
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Licensed under both required Ohio credentials: RC 105 and RS 199.
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Priced for what your home requires, not a flat sales number.
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Every system is backed by a written warranty on parts and labor.
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Post-installation test included, with results delivered in writing.
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Available for urgent radon concerns
What Our Customers Say
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Radon exposure doesn't cause immediate symptoms. The health risk comes from long-term exposure, which is why testing matters even if no one in the home feels unwell.
Nearly every home has some measurable radon, since it comes from the ground itself. The question isn't whether radon is present, but whether the level is high enough to require mitigation.
No. New construction can test just as high as older homes, particularly in regions like Central Ohio where the underlying soil and bedrock produce radon regardless of when a home was built.
Testing is the only way to know. Given Franklin County's Zone 1 classification, testing is worth doing for any home in the area that hasn't been tested in the last two years.
See our radon mitigation cost in Columbus, Ohio page for a full pricing breakdown by home type.
Test Your Home for Radon
Radon is common, invisible, and fixable. The only step that changes an unknown risk into a known one is testing. Contact Ohio Radon Control to schedule a professional radon test or to talk through what a mitigation system would look like for your home.