Radon Gas: Facts and Statistics

What is radon gas and why is it important to be aware of as a homeowner?

1. What It Is:

   Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas.

   
   

2. Source:

   It forms naturally from the decay of uranium in soil, rock, and water.

   
   

3. Atomic Symbol:

   Rn, atomic number 86 on the periodic table.

   
   

What are the health risks associated with radon gas exposure?

4. Carcinogenic:

   Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., after smoking.

   
   

5. Non-Smoker Risk:

   It’s the #1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.

   
   

6. No Immediate Symptoms:

   You can’t feel or detect radon exposure until health effects appear—often years later.

   
   

How does radon gas get from the soil into your home?

7. Entry Points:

   Radon enters buildings through cracks in foundations, sump pits, and gaps around pipes.

   
   

8. Prevalence:

   Elevated radon levels are found in 1 in 15 U.S. homes, but some regions have much higher rates. (2 out of every 4 homes in Ohio, 2 out of every 5 homes in Pennsylvania!)

   
   

9. Basements at Risk:

   It’s usually more concentrated in lower levels like basements and crawl spaces.

   
   

Now lets focus on some facts and statistics just for the state of Ohio:

• Nearly half (≈ 48.8%) of radon test results in Ohio are at or above the EPA’s action level of 4 pCi/L — ranking Ohio 4th among all states for radon risk  .

• The average indoor radon level across tested Ohio homes is reported around 7.8 pCi/L — nearly double the EPA safety threshold  .

• One study (2007–2014) of over 118,000 homes found a statewide mean concentration of 5.76 pCi/L, with rural and central Ohio areas showing especially elevated levels  .

  
  

• Most of Ohio is EPA Radon Zone 1, meaning high potential—with over 53 of 92 counties classified as Zone 1, and the remainder as Zone 2; none are low-risk Zone 3  .

• Summit County (including Akron) is in Zone 1 with typical indoor levels ranging between 2–4 pCi/L, notably higher than the U.S. average of ~1.3 pCi/L  .

• Some zip codes show extreme local variations—for instance, Stryker (postal code 43557) recorded an alarming 141.85 pCi/L  .

These numbers can seem alarming, but Mook Home Inspections LLC(and Mook Property Inspections) can offer you peace of mind from testing($150 for all basements up to 2,000 square feet, $300 for all basements over 2,000 square feet) to installation of a mitigation system if your levels test at or above the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L(call to schedule a consulation and an estimate as systems vary from house to house based on foundation structure and how many separate zones need treated!) We offer testing as part of home inspections as an ancillary service or as a standalone service separate from a home inspection. Our continuous monitors are calibrated and ready to go, with an accurate reading i 52-hours for a real-estate transaction and 96-hours as a standalone service. If your levels do test high we are licensed as a radon mitigation specialist and a radon mitigation contractor by the Ohio Department of Health. Don't just hire the first inspector you can find, do your research and find one that can help you with every square inch of your home to protect your investment and your family! #havemooktakealook