Hartford, CT – As Thanksgiving meals bring families together across Connecticut, health officials are warning of a deadly invisible danger that could be circulating inside homes this holiday season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) have issued reminders for residents to test for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that becomes most dangerous during winter months.
Radon forms underground from the decay of uranium in rock and soil, seeping upward through cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, or sump pits. Once inside, it becomes trapped — particularly when windows are sealed against the cold. Because radon has no smell, color, or taste, it can go unnoticed for years.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the country, responsible for more than 21,000 deaths annually. Long-term exposure, even at low levels, increases health risks. The EPA recommends mitigation for any home testing 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher — though experts say no level is completely safe.
Testing is the only way to detect the gas. Short-term test kits, available at hardware stores or online, cost less than $30 and can deliver results within days. The Connecticut DPH also provides guidance and sometimes free or discounted kits through local health departments.
If radon levels are high, certified mitigation professionals can install ventilation systems that cut indoor concentrations by up to 90%. Sealing foundation cracks and improving airflow can help as immediate precautions.
“Radon is silent, but not unstoppable,” said CDC health officials. “Testing during the holidays could save a life — it’s that simple.”
This Thanksgiving, as families across Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport gather indoors, experts say there’s no better time to make radon testing a household conversation — before the invisible danger lingers through winter.
