Providence, Rhode Island – A dangerous gas could already be building inside homes across Rhode Island as cool spring nights keep windows closed, allowing radon—known as the “invisible killer”—to accumulate indoors within hours. The risk increases quickly when airflow is limited during overnight temperature swings common this time of year.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally in soil and enters homes through foundation cracks, basements, and crawl spaces. Rhode Island is considered a moderate-risk state, but elevated radon levels have been detected across Providence County and northern communities, with some homes exceeding the EPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter.
In Providence and surrounding areas including Pawtucket, Cranston, and Woonsocket, older homes with basements are especially vulnerable during early spring. Residents often keep homes sealed overnight to manage lingering cold, which can trap radon indoors. The Rhode Island Department of Health reports radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, linked to about 21,000 deaths each year.
Radon exposure produces no immediate symptoms, making testing the only reliable way to detect it. Short-term test kits can return results within 48 to 96 hours, and mitigation systems can reduce indoor levels by up to 99 percent.
Residents are urged to test homes now as conditions through April continue to favor indoor buildup. Additional advisories may be issued as the risk persists into early summer.
