Omaha, NE – As families gather across Nebraska for Thanksgiving dinner, health officials are warning residents about a silent and deadly threat that could be creeping into their homes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) are urging homeowners to test for radon, a radioactive gas that becomes more dangerous during cold-weather months when homes are sealed tight.
Radon forms naturally as uranium in soil and rock decays, releasing gas that seeps into homes through cracks in foundations, sump pits, and drains. Because it’s odorless, colorless, and tasteless, it can go undetected for years without testing.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the country, causing more than 21,000 deaths annually. Nebraska is one of the states with the highest average radon levels in the nation, particularly in eastern and central counties — including Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island — where over 60% of homes test above the EPA’s action level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).
Testing is simple and inexpensive. Short-term radon kits, available online, at hardware stores, or through the Nebraska Radon Program, can detect levels in just a few days and cost under $25. If high levels are detected, certified mitigation contractors can install venting systems that safely lower concentrations by up to 90%.
“Radon is invisible, odorless, and entirely preventable,” CDC officials said. “Testing your home this Thanksgiving could save your family’s lives.”
As winter approaches, Nebraska health experts urge residents to make radon testing part of their seasonal safety checklist — before this silent killer lingers through the cold months.
