Birmingham, AL – As Alabama families gather for Thanksgiving dinner, health officials are warning about a deadly invisible gas that may be quietly accumulating indoors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) say radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, poses a serious health threat — particularly during the colder months when homes are sealed tight for warmth.
Radon forms when uranium in soil, rock, and groundwater naturally breaks down. The gas seeps into homes through cracks, sump pumps, or foundation gaps, where it can build up to dangerous levels. Because it has no color, smell, or taste, most homeowners are unaware it’s there until testing reveals the danger.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year, making it the second-leading cause of the disease nationwide. Health officials warn that parts of northern and central Alabama, including Jefferson, Shelby, and Madison counties, are particularly prone to elevated radon levels due to the state’s natural geology.
Testing is the only way to detect the gas. Short-term radon kits, available online, at hardware stores, or through the Alabama Radon Program, can measure levels in just a few days. The EPA recommends mitigation if readings reach 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher — though experts stress no level of radon is completely safe.
If high levels are detected, certified mitigation specialists can install systems that vent the gas safely outside, reducing indoor radon concentrations by up to 90%. Sealing cracks and increasing ventilation can help temporarily but do not replace professional mitigation.
“Radon is invisible and odorless, but it kills more Americans each year than house fires or carbon monoxide,” CDC officials said. “Testing your home this Thanksgiving could be a life-saving step.”
As families across Birmingham, Huntsville, and Montgomery gather for the holiday, Alabama health experts urge residents to add radon testing to their winter home safety checklist before this silent killer overstays its welcome.
