Los Angeles, CA – As millions of Californians gather indoors for Thanksgiving, health officials are warning about a silent, invisible danger that could be lurking in their homes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are urging residents to test for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that poses serious health risks — even in the mild climate of the West Coast.
Radon is produced as uranium in soil and rock breaks down underground, releasing gas that seeps into homes through cracks, drains, and foundation joints. Because it’s odorless, colorless, and tasteless, radon often goes completely undetected without testing.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., linked to more than 21,000 deaths every year. While California is not known for widespread high radon exposure, pockets of elevated risk have been found — particularly in Southern California’s mountain foothills, the Central Valley, and parts of Northern California, including Sacramento and the Sierra Nevada region.
Testing is simple, affordable, and the only way to detect radon. Short-term radon test kits, available online, at hardware stores, or through the California Radon Program, cost under $25 and give results in a few days. The EPA recommends taking action if readings reach 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher — though no level of radon is completely safe.
If high levels are found, certified mitigation contractors can install systems that vent radon safely outdoors, reducing levels by up to 90%.
“Radon doesn’t care if you live in the desert, mountains, or along the coast,” said CDC officials. “It’s invisible, odorless, and preventable — testing could save your life this Thanksgiving.”
As California families come together across Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, health experts are urging everyone to make radon testing part of their winter home-safety routine before this silent killer lingers through the season.
