Hartford, Connecticut – A dangerous gas may already be building inside homes across central Connecticut as cool spring nights keep windows closed, allowing radon—known as the “invisible killer”—to accumulate indoors within hours. The risk increases quickly when homes remain sealed during overnight temperature swings common this time of year.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally in soil and seeps into homes through foundation cracks, sump pumps, and crawl spaces. Connecticut is considered a moderate- to high-risk state, with many homes testing above the EPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter.
In Hartford and across Hartford County, older homes with basements are especially vulnerable this time of year. Nearby communities including West Hartford, East Hartford, and New Britain often see elevated indoor readings during early spring as residents limit ventilation overnight. The Connecticut Department of Public Health reports 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.
Residents are urged to test homes now as conditions through April continue to favor indoor buildup. Additional advisories may be issued as risks persist into early summer.
