A recent The Columbus Dispatch investigation revealed something Ohio families have been living with in silence: elevated radon levels in homes, schools, and rental units across central Ohio. The findings showed long-term exposure in places where people believed they were safe.
One Newark resident described the impact in simple terms: “We were exposed to something that ultimately gave us cancer.”
The reporting makes one thing impossible to overlook. Radon is here. It is affecting people today. And thousands of Ohio homes have no protections in place.
What Radon Actually Is
Radon forms naturally in the soil as elements like uranium and radium break down. The gas moves upward into homes and buildings, where it becomes trapped. If you’re unsure what radon is, the process is simple once you understand how it behaves.
Although radon is invisible and odorless, its impact is well-documented. No level is considered completely safe. The EPA recommends taking action at 4 picocuries per liter, yet studies have shown health effects even below that level. And because Ohio’s unique geology produces more radon than most regions, regular testing becomes an essential part of maintaining a healthy home.
A Risk Hidden in Plain Sight
Radon is not a new discovery, but Ohio’s vulnerability is deeper and more widespread than most people ever realized. Central Ohio sits on mineral-rich glacial deposits that naturally produce radon.
That geological foundation explains why Franklin, Delaware, and especially Licking County consistently show elevated readings. Homes in Newark’s 43055 ZIP code now rank among the highest radon concentrations measured in the entire nation.
This is not a rare or isolated issue. It is a statewide reality.
The People Behind the Numbers
The investigation brought forward personal stories from families who lived with high radon levels for years without knowing. In Marion, graduates reflected on a cluster of leukemia cases and questioned whether radon played a role. One survivor said, “We were exposed to something that ultimately gave us cancer.” Across Newark, households discovered dangerously high levels only after illnesses emerged. Many renters later learned their homes had been mitigated years earlier but never retested, leaving them unsure if exposure continued.
These individual experiences echoed the broader issues uncovered in multiple parts of the reporting:
- Some districts had classrooms with elevated readings even though routine testing was never done.
- Public housing authorities often delayed retesting after mitigation, leaving families without essential safety information.
Licking County recorded some of the highest radon concentrations reported, with multiple buildings testing above the EPA action level.
Behind every statistic is a family trying to understand what happened and what comes next.
What These Findings Mean for Ohio Families
The Columbus Dispatch reporting exposed several systemic gaps that continue to put residents at risk:
- There is no statewide requirement to test homes, apartments, schools, daycares, or workplaces.
- Many public housing units never received initial radon testing, and agencies often delayed retesting for years after radon mitigation.
- Renters do not receive guaranteed disclosure, even when past tests showed elevated radon levels.
- Some radon mitigation systems were installed but never verified through post-installation testing.
- Long-term exposure was found in both newer constructions and older buildings.
One lung cancer specialist quoted in the series cautioned that “if you have lungs, you can be affected.” That simplicity underscores the reality. Children, nonsmokers, renters, pets remain particularly vulnerable.
What You Can Do Right Now
Radon testing is the only way to know your home’s radon level, and Protect Environmental provides certified, reliable testing services throughout Ohio. The process is simple, affordable, and designed to give families clear answers fast.
You can learn how to test your home, what the process looks like, and how long it takes on our dedicated testing page. If your results come back high, Protect Environmental offers proven radon mitigation solutions that reduce radon levels quickly when installed and verified properly.
Taking action protects your family today and reduces risk over time, especially for children and older adults.
Moving Forward With Awareness and Action
The Dispatch investigation made something clear. Radon is not a distant or hypothetical risk. It is already shaping the health of Ohio families, and many of the systems meant to protect residents have fallen behind.
Awareness is the first step. Testing and mitigation are the next.
Protect Environmental supports Ohio families at every stage, from understanding radon risks to creating safer, healthier homes.
Ohio families deserve to breathe safely in their own homes, and understanding radon is how that begins.
Test My Home!
Professional radon testing is the first step to making your home a safe place to breathe.
