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Ohio Housing Authorities Failing to Test Rental Units for Radon: A Growing Public Health Crisis

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  Published in House and Home on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 7:16 GMT by Columbus Dispatch

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Ohio Housing Authorities Failing to Test Rental Units for Radon: A Growing Public Health Crisis

The Cleveland Plain‑Face’s November 20, 2025, investigative report uncovers a shocking lapse in public safety across Ohio’s rental housing market: several city and county housing authorities are not complying with a state‑wide mandate to test all rental units for radon. The article brings into sharp relief the dangers of radon exposure, the legal obligations that are being ignored, and the implications for tenants who may unknowingly be breathing a carcinogenic gas in their homes.

Radon: A Silent Threat

Radon, a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that seeps from the earth’s crust, is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, accounting for more than 21,000 deaths annually (American Lung Association, 2023). The article explains that radon levels rise when houses are built on radium‑rich soil, especially in the Midwest. When radon concentration exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) action level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), the gas can accumulate to lethal levels in enclosed spaces.

Ohio’s Department of Health (DOH) has long recommended that new construction and any homes undergoing significant renovation be tested for radon. However, a 2021 amendment to Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.01—titled the “Radon Mitigation Act”—expanded the law to require all landlords, including public housing authorities, to test their rental units and disclose the results to prospective tenants. The Plain‑Face’s piece shows that while the law is clear, enforcement has been patchy.

The Investigation: Who’s Not Testing?

Using data released by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the article identifies eight of the state’s 29 housing authorities that have failed to submit the mandatory radon test reports. The most prominently named authorities include:

The article notes that in most cases, the authorities have only tested a portion of their units—often those newly constructed or recently renovated—leaving older stock unassessed. One quote from a former Ohio Housing Authority staffer—who requested anonymity—illustrated the administrative challenge: “There are thousands of units to manage. Testing is expensive, and we often rely on tenants to request tests themselves.”

Legal and Financial Ramifications

The Ohio Department of Health’s radon regulations state that landlords who fail to provide a radon test, or who hide a test result that exceeds the 4 pCi/L threshold, may face civil penalties of up to $1,000 per unit per violation and, in extreme cases, the revocation of the authority’s license to operate (Ohio Revised Code § 4511.02). The Plain‑Face article cites the Attorney General’s office, which is preparing a civil action against the Cleveland and Columbus authorities for alleged non‑compliance.

“The state has a responsibility to enforce these standards,” says Attorney General Maria Ortiz in a quoted statement. “Failure to do so exposes thousands of vulnerable residents to a preventable cancer risk.” The article adds that the Attorney General’s office has already issued a notice of intent to sue the Cleveland Housing Authority and is seeking a preliminary injunction to require immediate testing across the board.

Voices from the Front Lines

The investigative piece brings in perspective from several stakeholders:

• Tenant Advocacy Groups: The Ohio Housing Rights Coalition (OHRC) issued a press release demanding that all housing authorities immediately implement radon testing. “We’ve heard too many stories of families who died of lung cancer and had no idea they were living in high‑radon areas,” said OHRC president Dr. Linda Carter.
• Public Health Officials: Dr. James Nguyen, a pulmonologist at Ohio State University, warns that radon exposure is especially dangerous for young adults and children. “Radon is a silent killer. The longer a person lives in a high‑radon environment, the greater their cumulative risk.”
• Radon Mitigation Specialists: The article links to the Ohio Association of Radon Mitigation Professionals, which estimates that a standard mitigation system costs $1,200 to $1,800, depending on the size of the unit. While some authorities cite cost as a barrier, experts argue that the long‑term public health savings outweigh the upfront expense.

Why This Matters

The Plain‑Face report underscores a larger systemic issue: the gap between regulatory intent and on‑the‑ground implementation. While the radon law was enacted to protect renters, the reality is that many landlords—particularly public housing agencies—are either unaware of their obligations or unable to meet the logistical and financial demands of testing every unit.

Moreover, the article highlights how radon testing ties into broader public‑health initiatives, such as the federal Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) “Healthy Housing” program and the American Lung Association’s “Radon Safety” campaign. These programs provide funding and technical assistance for testing and mitigation, but they rely on state and local authorities to actively pursue compliance.

Moving Forward: Recommendations and Next Steps

The investigation concludes with a set of actionable steps:

1. Immediate Testing Mandate: Authorities must test all units within 90 days and submit results to the Ohio DOH.
2. Tenant Notification: Lease agreements should include a clause that informs tenants of radon test results and outlines mitigation plans if necessary.
3. Financial Support: State and federal agencies should expand grant programs for radon mitigation, prioritizing low‑income and public housing units.
4. Ongoing Audits: The Ohio Attorney General’s office plans to conduct quarterly audits of housing authorities to ensure sustained compliance.

The article ends on a cautionary note: “Until every rental unit in Ohio is tested, thousands of families will continue to breathe a deadly gas without knowing it.” With the spotlight now on the issue, the hope is that policy, enforcement, and public awareness will converge to close the radon testing gap and protect Ohio’s most vulnerable residents.