Erie, PA – As Thanksgiving brings families together across Pennsylvania, state health officials are warning of an invisible and deadly danger that could be building up inside homes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) say radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, poses a serious health risk — especially during cold-weather months when houses are sealed tight.
Radon forms naturally underground as uranium in soil, rock, and groundwater decays. It seeps into homes through cracks, floor joints, drains, or foundations, where it can accumulate to unsafe levels. Because the gas has no smell, color, or taste, many families are unaware of the risk until testing reveals it.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon exposure causes more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year, making it the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. The EPA and CDC recommend taking action for any home testing 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher — though experts stress that no level is considered completely safe.
Testing is easy and inexpensive. Short-term test kits, available online, at hardware stores, or through the Pennsylvania DEP’s Radon Division, can measure levels in just a few days. If high results are found, licensed mitigation specialists can install vent systems that safely reduce radon concentrations by up to 90%.
“Radon is a silent danger,” said a CDC health spokesperson. “Testing during the holidays could save a life.”
Health officials say that northwestern and central Pennsylvania, including Erie, Pittsburgh, and State College, are among the areas most at risk. With families gathering indoors for the Thanksgiving weekend, experts urge Pennsylvanians to make radon testing part of their winter home checklist — before the invisible danger lingers through the season.
