FAQ

Can I see or smell radon?

Direct answer

No. Radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. The only way to know if your home has elevated levels is to test. EPA recommends testing every two years and after any foundation work.

More detail

Radon is a noble gas (group 18 of the periodic table) and is therefore non-reactive at typical environmental concentrations. It has no odor signature, no taste, no visible characteristics, and does not interact with conventional air-quality sensors (CO, CO₂, VOC, particulate). Detection requires either alpha-particle counting (continuous radon monitors using ionization chambers or solid-state detectors) or activated-charcoal adsorption with subsequent gamma-spectroscopy lab analysis. Hardware-store charcoal canisters cost $15-$30 and produce a usable screening number; professional CRMs cost $1,500-$3,000 and produce closed-house-conditions documentation suitable for real-estate use. Cincinnati hardware stores (Lowes, Home Depot, ACE) all stock kits seasonally; the Ohio Department of Health offers free or subsidized kits during Radon Action Month each January. Cincinnati January Radon Action Month: the Ohio Department of Health partners with county health departments to distribute free or low-cost radon test kits during January each year. Hamilton County Public Health, Warren County Health District, and Clermont County Public Health all participate in some years. Check the ODH website starting late December for current program details and pickup locations.

Authoritative sources

  • US EPA

    Cincinnati and surrounding counties sit in EPA Radon Zone 1, the highest-risk classification.

  • EPA Citizen's Guide to Radon

    EPA recommends mitigation above 4.0 pCi/L and consideration of mitigation between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L.

  • Ohio Department of Health

    Ohio Radon Program guidance on testing, mitigation, and contractor licensure.

Ready to get started in Cincinnati?

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