Radon Information

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Radon can not be detected by sight, smell, or taste. It comes from soil and rock beneath homes and well water.

The United States EPA action level is (4 pCi/l), meaning if radon is detected and is over this limit, action should be taken for health reasons.

Radon in Ohio

Radon is a by-product of the radioactive decay of uranium, an element that occurs naturally in the Earth's rocks, sediments and soils. The Earth's crust typically contains between 1 and 3 parts per million (ppm) of uranium. Earth materials with over 3 ppm uranium are considered potential radon sources, and buildings constructed on top of such materials may have elevated levels of indoor radon.

In Ohio, most houses with indoor radon levels above 4 pCi/l are associated with two geologic materials: a rock formation known as the "Ohio Shale," and a soil developed on sediment (called "till") deposited by glaciers during the last Ice Age. For more information about the Geology of Radon in Ohio, read here. Click here for a map showing the relationship in Ohio between bedrock geology and average indoor radon levels in zip code areas.

Radon testing services can be expensive and the following table lists the legal definitions of people who perform radon services in the state of Ohio.

Radon Tester An individual who performs a test to determine the presence and concentration of radon; provides professional or expert advice on radon testing, radon exposure or health risks related to radon exposure; or hold himself or herself out as doing any of the foregoing.

Radon Mitigation Specialist: An individual who performs radon testing, provides professional or expert advice on radon testing, radon exposure, health risks related to radon exposure, radon mitigation, or radon entry routes; provides on-site supervision of radon mitigation or holds himself or herself out as doing any of the foregoing.

Radon Mitigation Contractor An individual or business or governmental entity which performs or authorizes employees to perform radon mitigation.

The good news about radon is that it is relatively easy to control. Research carried out by the US EPA and others has shown that it is possible to bring down the radon levels in buildings. There are a wide variety of remediation techniques available, and which one is most appropriate for a given building will depend on the amount of radon it contains and the design of the structure. Read more here.

TriStateHome Inspection does not peform Radon detection but you can find an Ohio Licensed Radon Professional In your area here (search by area code works best). This will generate a PDF file of professionals in your area.

Information on this page gathered from Air Pollution Research Group at the University of Toledo.