Phoenix, AZ – As families across Arizona gather for Thanksgiving, state health officials are warning of a silent, invisible threat that could be seeping into homes unnoticed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) are urging residents to test for radon, a radioactive gas that can cause serious long-term health problems — even in desert climates like the Southwest.
Radon is formed naturally when uranium in soil and rock breaks down, releasing gas that moves upward through cracks, drains, and foundations. Because it’s odorless, colorless, and tasteless, most homeowners are unaware they’re being exposed.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon exposure is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., linked to more than 21,000 deaths annually. While Arizona’s overall radon levels are typically lower than in northern states, pockets of high risk have been identified in Northern and Central Arizona, including Flagstaff, Prescott, and parts of Phoenix’s East Valley, where unique soil conditions allow radon to accumulate.
Testing is the only way to detect radon. Short-term radon test kits, available online, at hardware stores, or through the Arizona Radon Program, cost less than $25 and take just a few days. The EPA recommends taking action if results reach 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher — though no level is completely safe.
If elevated levels are found, licensed mitigation professionals can install systems that vent radon safely outdoors, reducing concentrations by up to 90%. Sealing foundation cracks and increasing ventilation can also help lower exposure.
“Radon is silent, odorless, and deadly — but easy to prevent,” CDC officials said. “Testing your home this Thanksgiving could protect your family’s health for years to come.”
As Arizonans celebrate the holiday, health experts encourage residents to make radon testing part of their winter home checklist — before this invisible killer lingers through the season.
