Baton Rouge, Louisiana – A dangerous gas could already be building inside homes across southeast Louisiana as warm days and cooler overnight temperatures keep windows closed, allowing radon—known as the “invisible killer”—to accumulate indoors within hours. The risk can increase quickly when airflow is limited, even in homes using early-season air conditioning.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally in soil and can enter homes through foundation cracks, slab floors, and utility openings. Louisiana is generally considered a lower to moderate radon-risk state, but elevated levels have been detected across East Baton Rouge Parish and surrounding areas, with some homes exceeding the EPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter.
In Baton Rouge and nearby communities including Denham Springs, Gonzales, and Zachary, homes built on slab foundations are especially vulnerable during seasonal shifts. Residents often keep homes sealed overnight to maintain indoor comfort, which can trap radon indoors. The Louisiana Department of Health warns that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, linked to about 21,000 deaths annually.
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 when properly installed.
Residents are urged to test homes now as conditions through April continue to support indoor buildup. Additional advisories may be issued as risks persist into early summer across the region.
