Radon

Ohio residents are urged to test their homes for radon.



Soil in West Central Ohio can have high levels of naturally occurring radon gas.  According to the EPA, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and it can seep into homes.  

Winter is the best time to test your home for radon since our homes are closed up, trapping gases inside and providing more accurate radon readings. Radon can leak into homes through cracks in the foundation, openings around sumps and along construction joints and cracks in walls or foundations. Radon cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, making testing the only way to determine if it's in your home. 

It is estimated that nearly one home out of every 15 in the U.S. has an elevated radon level. Auglaize County has been designated as  a "Zone Area" on the EPA's radon map which means that homes in our area could have high radon levels. According to testing results reported to the University of Toledo, the median radon levels in Auglaize County are above the 4 pCi/L suggested action levels.(4.9 pCi/L)

If high levels of radon gas are detected in your home, it can be removed through a variety of mitigation systems, typically costing between $800-$2500, with an average cost of $1200. More information on radon can be found at www.epa.gov/radon. This is an opportunity to have your home tested for radon at no cost.