Key Findings for Cleveland Homes
⚠️ Action Recommended
Based on Cleveland's risk profile, we strongly recommend testing your home for these hazards. Early detection can prevent serious health issues for your family.
🏠 Radon Levels
Cuyahoga County, OH is classified as EPA Radon Zone 1, indicating high radon risk. Average indoor radon levels in this area measure 5.3 pCi/L.
⚠️ High Risk Area
The EPA recommends all homes in Zone 1 areas be tested for radon. Levels above 4 pCi/L require mitigation.
✅ Recommended Actions:
- 1. Test your home with a radon detection kit
- 2. If levels are above 4 pCi/L, consult a radon mitigation specialist
- 3. Retest every 2 years or after home renovations
Recommended Radon Detectors:
Testing is the only way to know your home's radon level. These EPA-approved detectors provide accurate results.
Airthings Wave Plus
Continuous digital monitoring
- ✓ Real-time radon readings on smartphone app
- ✓ Also monitors CO2, VOCs, temperature & humidity
- ✓ Long-term tracking with trend analysis
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First Alert RD1 Radon Test Kit
Budget-friendly 48-hour test
- ✓ EPA-approved short-term test
- ✓ Results in 48 hours
- ✓ Affordable screening option
View on Amazon →
🎨 Lead Paint Risk
71% of homes in Cuyahoga County, OH were built before the 1978 lead paint ban. An estimated 380,000 homes may contain lead-based paint.
Cleveland's older housing stock poses significant lead paint hazards.
⚠️ Children Under 6 at Highest Risk
Lead paint dust can cause permanent brain damage in young children. If your home was built before 1978, testing is critical.
✅ What You Should Do:
- 1. Test painted surfaces, especially around windows and doors
- 2. If lead is detected, hire a certified lead abatement contractor
- 3. Never sand, scrape, or demolish lead paint surfaces yourself
- 4. Keep children away from chipping or peeling paint
Recommended Lead Test Kits:
EPA-recognized lead test kits provide instant results without lab fees.
Safe Home Lead Combo Test Kit
EPA-recognized instant test
- ✓ Results in 30 seconds
- ✓ Test paint, varnish, shellac & drywall
- ✓ Pack of 10 swabs for multiple surfaces
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PRO-LAB Lead Surface Test Kit
Professional-grade testing
- ✓ Lab-quality accuracy
- ✓ Tests paint, dust, and soil
- ✓ Includes detailed instructions
View on Amazon →
🚰 Water Quality
Cleveland struggles with aging infrastructure and lead pipes. Lake Erie source vulnerable.
PFAS Contamination
17 ppt
EPA advisory: 4 ppt
Lead Pipe Infrastructure
26%
of service lines
Contaminants Detected:
⚠️ EPA Violations
2 EPA violations in recent years. Water may not meet federal safety standards.
✅ Protect Your Family:
- 1. Test your tap water for lead and PFAS contamination
- 2. Install a certified water filter that removes PFAS and heavy metals
- 3. Flush pipes for 30 seconds before drinking if water has been sitting
- 4. Consider whole-house filtration if contamination is severe
Recommended Water Filters:
These filters are certified to remove PFAS, lead, chromium-6, and other contaminants found in Cleveland water.
Big Berkey Gravity Water Filter
Premium gravity-fed system
- ✓ Removes 99.9% of PFAS, lead, chlorine, bacteria
- ✓ No electricity or plumbing required
- ✓ Filters last 6,000 gallons (3-5 years)
- ✓ Ideal for families of 4-6
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AquaTru Countertop Purifier
4-stage reverse osmosis
- ✓ Removes PFAS, lead, chromium-6, arsenic, nitrates
- ✓ No installation - plugs into wall outlet
- ✓ Purifies in 8-15 minutes
- ✓ Perfect for renters
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ZeroWater 10-Cup Pitcher
Budget-friendly option
- ✓ 5-stage filtration removes lead, chromium
- ✓ Reduces PFAS (though not as effective as RO)
- ✓ Includes free water quality meter
- ✓ Affordable entry point for filtered water
View on Amazon →
Cleveland Water Contains Contaminants Standard Filters Can't Remove
Standard Brita and PUR filters don't remove PFAS, lead, or chromium-6. After analyzing 1,500+ verified customer reviews, we found only one consumer-grade filter that removes 99.6% of these contaminants.
See our ZeroWater filter analysis🏗️ Asbestos Risk
77% of homes in Cuyahoga County, OH were built before 1980 when asbestos use was common. An estimated 410,000 homes may contain asbestos materials.
Cleveland's older housing stock has widespread asbestos in heating and insulation systems.
Common Asbestos Locations in Cleveland Homes:
⚠️ Asbestos Becomes Dangerous When Disturbed
Intact asbestos is relatively safe. The danger comes from renovation, demolition, or deterioration that releases microscopic fibers into the air. Breathing asbestos fibers causes mesothelioma and lung cancer decades later.
✅ What You Should Do:
- 1. Never disturb suspected asbestos materials (don't sand, drill, cut, or demolish)
- 2. Test before any renovation in pre-1980 homes
- 3. Hire certified asbestos abatement professionals for removal
- 4. If material is intact and undisturbed, leave it alone and monitor condition
Asbestos Test Kits:
Professional lab testing is required to confirm asbestos. DIY sampling kits let you collect material and mail to certified labs for analysis.
PRO-LAB Asbestos Test Kit
Mail-in lab analysis
- ✓ NVLAP-accredited lab testing
- ✓ Includes sampling tools and instructions
- ✓ Results in 3-5 business days
- ✓ Tests popcorn ceilings, floor tiles, insulation
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Asbestos Sampling Asbestos Test Kit
Professional-grade sampling
- ✓ EPA-recognized laboratory
- ✓ Test up to 2 samples
- ✓ Fast turnaround (3 days)
- ✓ Detailed analysis report
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⚠️ Important Safety Note:
If you suspect asbestos, do NOT attempt to remove it yourself. Federal law requires certified asbestos professionals for removal. Improper handling can release deadly fibers throughout your home and lungs. When in doubt, test first.
☠️ Carbon Monoxide Risk
Long, cold winters with near-universal natural gas heating. Aging equipment and deferred maintenance create high incident rates.
Gas Heating Prevalence
86%
of homes
Heating Season
7
months per year
Annual CO Incidents
168
reported cases
Primary CO Sources in Cleveland:
⚠️ Carbon Monoxide is the Silent Killer
CO is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. You can't detect it without a detector. Symptoms mimic the flu (headache, dizziness, nausea) but can quickly become fatal. Over 400 Americans die from accidental CO poisoning every year.
✅ Protect Your Family:
- 1. Install CO detectors on every level, especially near bedrooms
- 2. Test detectors monthly and replace batteries twice yearly
- 3. Never run generators, grills, or vehicles in garages or enclosed spaces
- 4. Service gas furnaces, water heaters, and appliances annually
- 5. Ensure proper ventilation for all fuel-burning equipment
Recommended CO Detectors:
Battery-powered detectors provide protection even during power outages. Install at least one per floor.
Kidde Nighthawk CO Detector
Digital display with peak level memory
- ✓ Digital display shows exact CO levels
- ✓ Peak level memory shows highest reading
- ✓ Battery backup during power outages
- ✓ 10-year sensor life
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First Alert CO410 Battery Detector
Simple, reliable protection
- ✓ Battery-powered (works during outages)
- ✓ Loud 85-decibel alarm
- ✓ Easy installation - no wiring needed
- ✓ Affordable multi-pack options
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X-Sense Smart Detector (Smoke + CO)
Smart detector with app alerts
- ✓ Detects both smoke and carbon monoxide
- ✓ Smartphone alerts when you're away
- ✓ Voice alerts tell you location of danger
- ✓ Self-testing (no manual button pressing)
View on Amazon →
🚨 CO Detector Placement Rules:
- • Install on every level of your home
- • Place within 10 feet of bedroom doors
- • Mount 5 feet above floor (CO is slightly lighter than air)
- • Avoid dead air spaces (corners, behind furniture)
- • Don't install near fuel-burning appliances (causes false alarms)
🚨 If Your CO Alarm Sounds:
- 1. Immediately move everyone outside to fresh air
- 2. Call 911 from outside - do NOT re-enter to investigate
- 3. Do a headcount to ensure everyone is out
- 4. Do NOT re-enter until emergency responders say it's safe
- 5. Seek medical attention if anyone has symptoms (headache, dizziness, nausea)
CO poisoning symptoms are often mistaken for flu. If multiple people in your home have flu-like symptoms that improve when you leave the house, suspect CO poisoning.
🦠 Mold & Air Quality Risk
High humidity year-round with Lake Erie effect. Cold winters cause condensation. Basements chronically damp.
Average Humidity
74%
relative humidity
Annual Rainfall
39"
inches per year
Climate Type
Humid Continental
zone classification
High-Risk Areas for Mold Growth:
Peak Mold Season:
Summer (high humidity) and Spring (flooding)
⚠️ Health Risks from Mold Exposure
Mold spores cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks, respiratory infections, and chronic sinus issues. Black mold (Stachybotrys) produces mycotoxins that can cause severe neurological symptoms. People with compromised immune systems, asthma, or allergies are especially vulnerable.
✅ Prevention & Remediation:
- 1. Keep indoor humidity below 50% (use dehumidifiers in damp areas)
- 2. Fix water leaks immediately - mold grows within 24-48 hours
- 3. Improve ventilation in bathrooms, kitchens, and attics
- 4. Clean and dry wet materials within 24 hours of water damage
- 5. Use exhaust fans when cooking or showering
Recommended Air Quality & Mold Solutions:
Control humidity and filter mold spores to prevent growth and reduce exposure.
hOmeLabs 4,500 Sq Ft Dehumidifier
Removes 50 pints per day
- ✓ Removes up to 50 pints of moisture daily
- ✓ Covers basements, crawl spaces up to 4,500 sq ft
- ✓ Auto-shutoff when tank is full
- ✓ Continuous drain option for unattended operation
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LEVOIT Air Purifier with True HEPA
Captures mold spores and allergens
- ✓ True HEPA filter captures 99.97% of mold spores
- ✓ Covers rooms up to 1,095 sq ft
- ✓ Quiet operation (24dB sleep mode)
- ✓ Reduces allergens, dust, pet dander, VOCs
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ThermoPro Digital Hygrometer
Monitor humidity levels
- ✓ Tracks temperature and humidity
- ✓ Alerts when levels promote mold growth
- ✓ Affordable monitoring for multiple rooms
- ✓ Helps optimize dehumidifier settings
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Entimp Mold Test Kit
Lab analysis for mold identification
- ✓ Identify specific mold types (including black mold)
- ✓ Lab analysis included in price
- ✓ Test multiple rooms/areas
- ✓ Results show toxicity level and recommended actions
View on Amazon →
🚨 When to Call Professionals:
- • Mold covers more than 10 square feet
- • Mold has returned after cleaning
- • Mold is inside HVAC ducts or behind walls
- • Water damage from sewage or contaminated water
- • Anyone in home has respiratory issues or compromised immunity
Large-scale mold requires professional remediation with containment, HEPA filtration, and proper disposal.
Signs of Hidden Mold:
Visual Signs:
- • Black, green, or white spots on walls/ceilings
- • Discoloration or water stains
- • Peeling or bubbling paint/wallpaper
- • Warped or buckled surfaces
Other Indicators:
- • Musty, earthy smell
- • Increased allergy symptoms at home
- • Condensation on windows
- • Previous water damage or flooding
Test for Mold Before Paying $400 for Professional Inspection
Professional mold testing costs $300-500 and takes 1-2 weeks. We analyzed 1,300+ reviews of at-home lab testing kits that deliver professional results in 48 hours for under $25.
See our mold test kit analysis📚 Related Safety Guides:
📋 Affiliate Disclosure
Home Hazards Report is reader-supported. When you purchase testing kits or filtration products through our Amazon affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help us maintain and expand our free hazard reports for communities across the United States. We only recommend products we believe are effective based on EPA certifications, independent testing, and user reviews. Our hazard data and risk assessments are independent and unaffected by affiliate relationships.