January is officially Radon Awareness Month in Ohio, thanks to the Annie Cacciato Act signed by Governor Mike DeWine in 2021. Named after a non-smoker whose death from radon-induced lung cancer inspired legislative action, the law created a framework for annual awareness campaigns that Columbus Radon Awareness Week 2026 builds upon.
Columbus and Franklin County are classified as EPA Radon Zone 1 -- the highest risk category -- with average indoor readings exceeding 8.0 pCi/L, double the EPA's 4.0 pCi/L action level. An estimated 48.8% of Ohio radon tests come back at or above the action level, and radon causes approximately 2,559 lung cancer cases in Ohio every year. If you have not tested your home, this January gives you the perfect opportunity.
Free and Discounted Testing Resources for January 2026
Columbus Metropolitan Library Radon Monitors
The Columbus Metropolitan Library radon monitor program makes testing as easy as checking out a book. Continuous radon monitors are available at all 23 CML branches. Reserve one through your library account, borrow it for 7 to 14 days, and get real-time readings at home for free.
Ohio Department of Health Free Test Kits
The Ohio Department of Health offers free short-term test kits to homeowners with household incomes below $80,500 through ohio.radon.com. Discounted kits are available at $10.95 for those above the threshold. Note that demand surged after the 2025 Dispatch investigation, so order early -- the state temporarily ran out of kits in late 2025.
Franklin County Public Health Programs
Franklin County Public Health promotes radon awareness through free educational materials, social media campaigns, partnerships with local libraries for kit distribution, and community workshops on radon prevention. During Awareness Week, check their website and social channels for event schedules and free kit availability.
Professional Testing Deals
Many Columbus radon contractors offer free consultations and discounted professional testing during January. Professional continuous monitor testing typically costs $99 to $200 and provides the most accurate results with tamper-proof documentation -- essential for real estate transactions.
Why January Is the Best Time to Test for Radon in Columbus
Radon levels in Columbus follow seasonal patterns that make winter testing especially valuable:
- December through February: Highest radon levels. Homes are sealed tight for heating, and the stack effect creates negative pressure that draws more radon from soil.
- March through May: Moderate to high levels. Fluctuating weather creates variable pressure differentials.
- June through August: Lower levels (but not eliminated). Open windows and air conditioning alter pressure dynamics. Summer results may underestimate true risk.
- September through November: Rising levels as heating season begins.
Testing during January gives you a worst-case scenario reading. If your home tests below 4.0 pCi/L in the middle of winter, you have strong confidence that your annual average is also safe.
The Alarming Reality Behind Awareness Week
Columbus Radon Awareness Week is not just another awareness campaign. Recent events underscore why it matters more than ever:
- The Columbus Dispatch investigation tested 68 homes and found nearly 80% above the EPA action level
- In January 2026, the brand-new Franklin County Sheriff's office building -- opened in 2024 -- tested positive for elevated radon, proving new construction is not immune
- Licking County, just east of Columbus, has the highest median radon level (6.5 pCi/L) of all 88 Ohio counties
- Only about 67,668 Ohio homes had mitigation systems installed as of 2021 -- less than 3% of the estimated 2.5 million affected households
- The Ohio Department of Health had not published collected radon test results since 2020
The gap between risk and action is enormous. Awareness Week exists to close that gap one test at a time.
Your Columbus Radon Action Month Checklist
This Week: Get Tested
- Order a free test kit from the Ohio Department of Health
- Reserve a library radon monitor at your nearest CML branch
- Or schedule professional testing for the most accurate results
- Share radon awareness information with neighbors and family
This Month: Review Results and Plan
- Conduct your test following proper placement guidelines
- Maintain closed-house conditions during testing
- Review results against EPA action levels
- If above 4.0 pCi/L, get quotes from 2-3 certified mitigation contractors
Long-Term Commitment
- Install a radon mitigation system if levels are elevated ($800 to $2,500 for most Columbus homes)
- Conduct post-mitigation verification testing to confirm effectiveness
- Schedule annual system maintenance checks
- Retest every 2 years, especially after major renovations
Radon Mitigation Costs During Awareness Week
If your test reveals elevated levels, radon mitigation is highly effective -- modern systems reduce levels by 90 to 99%. Here is what Columbus homeowners typically pay:
| Home Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard basement (under 2,500 sq ft) | $800 - $1,500 |
| Larger home or crawl space | $1,500 - $2,500 |
| Complex layout / multiple foundations | $2,000 - $4,000 |
| Annual operating cost (electricity) | $60 - $150/year |
Most installations are completed in a single day (4-8 hours). During Awareness Month, many contractors offer free on-site assessments and transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Ohio Radon Disclosure and Real Estate During Awareness Week
Ohio law only requires home sellers to disclose known radon levels -- testing itself is not mandated. This means sellers can legally sell homes without ever testing, and landlords are not required to test rental properties. If you are buying a home during January, include a radon testing contingency in your purchase agreement. If levels exceed 4.0 pCi/L, you can negotiate for seller-paid mitigation or a purchase price reduction. See our Ohio radon disclosure guide for full details.
New Construction and Radon Prevention
If you are building a new home in Columbus, incorporating radon-resistant construction features during building costs $500 to $1,000 -- far less than the $800 to $2,500 for retrofitting a mitigation system later. Key features include a gas-permeable gravel layer beneath the slab, polyethylene vapor barrier, sealed foundation cracks and penetrations, and a passive vent pipe from sub-slab to roof. Ohio's building code includes optional radon provisions, but not all builders include them. Always insist on radon-resistant features and post-construction testing.
Columbus Radon Awareness Week 2026 offers the perfect opportunity to test your home using free or low-cost options, learn about radon health effects, connect with certified professionals, and make informed decisions about mitigation. The truth is that radon testing takes minimal effort -- usually just setting out a detector and waiting a few days. Compare that to a lifetime of elevated lung cancer risk, and the choice becomes obvious. Take action this January and discover what is hiding in your home's air.