A cat sniffs A-Z Solutions radon testing equipment sit on a table at a resident’s home in Bexley on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.© Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch

Ohioans left vulnerable to cancer-causing radon, Dispatch report finds

Story by Max Filby, Columbus Dispatch

Radon Gas in Ohio – Search a deadly, odorless and colorless gas is lurking inside the homes, schools and workplaces of millions of Ohioans. Most residents have no idea.

In its Invisible Killer: Dispatch investigation finds central Ohio is ground zero for radon – Search The Dispatch set out to test central Ohio homes for radon and see how the state compares to others when it comes to protecting residents from the gas — the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.

Reporters conducted dozens of interviews with cancer survivors, families who lost loved ones, scientists, lawyers, advocates and researchers and combed through thousands of public records dating back nearly 40 years.

Here’s what they found.

Radon awareness is low and so is testing and mitigation

Despite being known about since the 1980s, several Ohioans told The Dispatch they didn’t learn of radon’s threat until they or a loved one were diagnosed with cancer.

Half of Ohio homes, or 2.5 million households, are estimated to have a radon problem. But, only 67,668 had mitigation systems as of 2021, according to the state’s cancer control plan.

The Ohio Department of Health offers free tests to residents, but just a fraction of Ohio households have taken advantage of the program. From 2016 through Oct. 3, 2025, the state had given away 71,434 tests — equal to 1.4% of the roughly 4.9 million households in Ohio.

When it comes to kids, Ohio has no laws to protect them from radon.

Ohio fails to protect students and young children from radon

While the Ohio Department of Health recommends schools test for radon every five years or after renovations, A killer in the classroom: Ohio schools fail to test for radon, leaving kids vulnerable – Search

Columbus City Schools, the state’s largest district, does not regularly test its classrooms for radon. And The Dispatch found a hodgepodge of testing in districts across Franklin County, including at least one district that put testing on hold after a levy failed to gain voter approval.

Eleven states require radon testing in schools, according to the Environmental Law Institute. Along with schools, 13 other states also require daycares to test for the dangerous gas.

What the Dispatch found doing its own radon testing

The Dispatch tested 68 central Ohio households. In radon’s ground zero, leaders have failed to protect Ohioans from deadly gas for decades, including in some of the wealthiest neighborhoods, in public housing and in rural areas.

With environmental company A-Z Solutions, The Dispatch deployed 128 tests and several continuous radon monitors in the 68 homes during one wave of testing in September and another in early October in Franklin, Delaware and Licking counties. To ensure accurate results, two standard charcoal tests or a test and a continuous monitor were left in most homes.

Fifty-four homes, or 79.4% of those examined, tested positive for radon above the EPA’s remediation threshold of 4 picocuries per liter. The Dispatch’s results were higher than the 50% of homes the Ohio Department of Health reports test high each year.

From screening to education, many radon changes are needed

The screening guidelines for lung cancer are far more strict than those for any other cancer, experts told The Dispatch.

Only patients aged 50 to 80 who have smoked and have a “20 pack-year history” are eligible for screening, according to the American Cancer Society. Someone who smoked two packs a day for 10 years would qualify for screening, but another person who smoked three packs a day for five years would not.

The tight guidelines mean most people who are diagnosed with lung cancer are not even eligible for screening in the first place, said Dr. David Carbone, head of thoracic oncology and chair of lung cancer research at Ohio State University’s James Cancer Hospital.

And, few doctors may be learning much about radon in medical schools.

Renters are at a disadvantage when it comes to radon

Since 1993, Ohio has required home sellers to notify potential buyers of previous radon testing results in their house.

But, The Dispatch found Public housing authorities fail to test all rentals for radon, leaving tenants at risk – Search Colorado and Illinois also allow tenants to break their lease without penalty if a landlord fails to mitigate for radon once unsafe levels are found. Mitigation typically runs anywhere from $500 to $2,500.

Public housing agencies, such as the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, fail to test every home they own, a review of public records found. CMHA also failed to retest for radon immediately after installing mitigation systems in at least 18 units, The Dispatch found.

Records also showed housing agencies routinely fail to retest for radon in remediated units every two years as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Despite suspicions, there’s little research linking fracking and radon so far

Hydraulic fracturing, better known as fracking, is the process of pumping high-pressure water below ground to force up natural gas.

Researchers have suspected that along with that fossil fuel, fracking may also result in more radon being released into nearby buildings. But few studies have been done examining whether fracking could lead to higher levels of indoor radon, The Dispatch found.

Dispatch reporters Danae King and Samantha Hendrickson contributed to this story.

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: Ohioans left vulnerable to cancer-causing radon, Dispatch report finds – Search

Radon, a toxic gas lurking in some Ohio homes, is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.

Radon, a radioactive gas, is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers and is present at high levels in many Ohio homes.

Should you test your home for radon?
Portrait of Max FilbyMax Filby
Columbus Dispatch

How the toxic gas can hurt your health
Radon forms from decaying metals in soil, entering homes through basements or foundations, posing health risks even at low levels.
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.

Radon Levels by State 2025

See Your Risk: Updated Radon Levels by Zip Code – Radon.org

At least 54 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 to 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, Hire a Professional | Ohio Department of HealthIf 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

Reliable Radon Test Kits for Homes and Businesses | Radonova

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.

Ohio Annual Cancer Report 2025

Several factors contribute to cancer rates, from personal habits and genetics to air pollution or groundwater quality in a given area. People experiencing social, economic, or environmental disadvantages are disproportionately affected by high cancer rates in certain regions—including access or barriers to early screening and care.

Poverty and Cancer Disparities in Ohio – PMC

Cancer rates also fluctuate by jobs: Higher rates of cancer can be found among meat industry and rubber manufacturing workers, and farmers.

Stacker compiled the counties with the highest cancer rates in Ohio using data from the CDC. Keep reading to see where in your state cancer cases are the most common.

Ohio counties with the highest cancer rates

Cancer in Ohio 2025 – NEW – Cancer in Ohio 2025 provides Ohio-specific data and information on cancer incidence and mortality, trends, risk factors, signs and symptoms, early detection, stage at diagnosis, and survival.

Alcohol Use and Cancer in Ohio – NEW – Prevalence of excessive alcohol use in Ohio and its impact on cancers associated with alcohol use in Ohio.

Lung and Bronchus Cancer Among Never Smokers and Current Smokers in Ohio – NEW – This report compares cancer outcomes of never smokers and current smokers in Ohio.

Cancer Survival in Ohio – A comprehensive examination of five-year relative cancer survival in Ohio using data from the Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System.

Ohio Annual Cancer Report 2025 – Ohio Annual Cancer Report 2025 provides a summary of cancer incidence and mortality data, stage at diagnosis, survival, and trends.

Child and Adolescent Cancer in Ohio 2024 – Data and information about child and adolescent cancer incidence and mortality in Ohio.

Cancers Associated with Human Papillomavirus in Ohio – Data and information on human papillomavirus (HPV) associated cancers in Ohio, including HPV infection prevention, vaccination, cancer incidence rates and trends.

Social Vulnerability and Cancer in Ohio – This report compares Ohio’s counties with high social vulnerability with those with low social vulnerability to identify differences in cancer incidence and mortality rates, late-stage diagnoses, cancer treatment, health insurance status, cancer risk factors, cancer screening, and survival.

Ohio Cancer Atlas 2023 – County-level maps of cancer incidence, mortality, risk factors, and social determinants of health showing geographic patterns of cancer rates and associated factors across the state.

Cancer Across the Lifespan in Ohio – Information about cancer incidence and mortality rates in Ohio for five age groups across the lifespan.

Obesity-Associated Cancers in Ohio 2023 – Data and information about the prevalence of obesity in Ohio and the cancers associated with overweight and obesity, including trends in cancer incidence and mortality.

Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Urban and Rural Census Tracts in Ohio – This report examines the disparities in cancer incidence, mortality, and stage at diagnosis between urban and rural areas in Ohio.

Cancer Risk Factors – A cancer risk factor is anything that increases a person’s risk of developing cancer. Cancer Risk Factors presents non-modifiable, modifiable, and environmental risk factors by cancer site/type.

Stage at Diagnosis for Select Types of Cancer in Ohio 2022 – Cancer incidence by stage at diagnosis for four selected cancers with official screening recommendations and information about other types of cancer for which screening tests are available.

Impact of Tobacco Use on Cancer in Ohio – Prevalence of tobacco use and its impact on cancers associated with tobacco use in Ohio.

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.