Radon is a colorless, odorless and naturally occurring radioactive gas produced from the natural decay of uranium, which is found in rocks and soil, and it can seep into your home through cracks in the foundation, basement or crawl space. This can take place in new or old homes, well-sealed or drafty homes and homes on a slab or with a basement. 

It is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers — it is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year — and can raise risk levels for cancer in smokers, but many people don’t know about radon or the risks it can pose to their health. 

Testing for radon is the only way to know how much is in your house – and to potentially limit your exposure. The EPA and U.S. Surgeon General recommend all homes be tested for radon gas.

Is there radon in Akron homes?

Summit County, like every county in Ohio, has radon present. The typical indoor range in the Akron area is measured in levels of radioactivity called picocuries – the typical indoor range in the Akron area is from 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L, or picocuries per liter of air. That’s higher than the national average of 1.3 pCi/L indoors.

Radon levels can vary greatly from home to home, including on the same street or in the same neighborhood, so just because a neighbor doesn’t have radon issues, it doesn’t mean you don’t.

Any level of radon poses some health risk, and your risk for lung cancer increases with higher levels of radon and longer periods of exposure. Since it’s not possible to lower levels of radon to zero, according to Summit County Public Health, the best strategy is to lower it as much as possible.

How do I know if my home has a radon issue? 

Testing for radon is easy and inexpensive. The Ohio Department of Health has free testing kits available. Affordable do-it-yourself radon test kits are also available for purchase online and at most home improvement and hardware stores. 

There are two types of testing kits: short-term and long-term. Short-term testing kits measure radon for two to 90 days, while long-term kits measure levels for more than 90 days. Longer test kits can tell you your home’s year-round average level. 

You can also hire a qualified radon professional to test your home. Ohio provides a map of licensed radon service providers. The EPA also suggests contacting the National Radon Safety Board or National Radon Proficiency Program, two national private radon programs that provide lists of certified professionals.

The U.S. Surgeon General and EPA recommend fixing or mitigating homes with radon levels at or above 4 pCi/L — the EPA also recommends fixing homes with radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L.

Installing a radon system

The most commonly used reduction method — a soil depressurization system — is a vent pipe system with a fan that pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it outside. Sealing cracks in floors and walls can also help reduce radon levels. The right mitigation system depends on the design of your home and factors such as whether you have a basement or crawl space. 

To install a radon system, it is recommended that homeowners hire a service provider who is licensed by the state. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs, according to the EPA. 

Radon levels should be tested again after you’ve made any changes.

Community & service reporter (they/them)
Reegan Davis Saunders is Signal Akron’s community & service reporter. Reegan studied journalism and art at Kent State University, and they are passionate about the intersection of the two disciplines.

Although Reegan grew up in metro Detroit, they have always been an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. After living in Kent the past few years, they are excited to explore more of Akron, especially the coffee shops.

At Signal Akron, Reegan hopes to serve underrepresented communities by creating more accessible content.

Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.