New Orleans, LA – As winter brings cooler temperatures across Louisiana and homes remain more tightly sealed, health officials are warning residents—especially those in New Orleans and surrounding parishes—about a dangerous indoor health threat that often goes unnoticed. January marks National Radon Action Month, drawing attention to radon gas, commonly referred to as the “invisible killer” inside the home.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released from soil and rock. It can seep into homes through foundation cracks, slab joints, crawl spaces, and utility openings. While Louisiana is often perceived as a lower-risk state, officials say elevated radon levels have been detected in homes across multiple regions, including southeast Louisiana and parts of central and northern parishes.
Health experts say winter can still create conditions for radon buildup, even in warmer southern states. In New Orleans and across Louisiana, homes may remain closed up for longer periods during cooler weather, allowing radon to accumulate indoors. Long-term exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, linked to an estimated 21,000 deaths each year. Smokers face the highest risk, but non-smokers are also vulnerable.
Unlike carbon monoxide, radon exposure does not cause immediate symptoms. Medical professionals warn the damage often occurs silently over many years, making home testing the only reliable way to detect elevated radon levels.
State and federal health officials recommend that all Louisiana residents test their homes, especially during winter months. Test kits are affordable and widely available, and mitigation systems can significantly reduce radon levels when elevated readings are found.
As National Radon Action Month continues, officials urge Louisianans to test now to help protect their families from a serious but preventable health risk.
