Charleston, SC – As Thanksgiving brings families indoors across South Carolina, health officials are warning residents of a deadly invisible threat that could be seeping into homes unnoticed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) say radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, poses a growing risk during colder months when windows stay shut and ventilation drops.
Radon is formed when uranium in rocks, soil, or groundwater breaks down, releasing gas that seeps upward through cracks in foundations, floor drains, and pipes. Because it has no smell, taste, or color, it’s impossible to detect without a test — and can linger for years at unsafe levels.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year, making it the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the nation. The EPA recommends taking action if levels reach 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher, though experts stress that no level is completely safe.
The South Carolina DHEC Radon Program provides free or low-cost radon test kits to residents, making it easy to check your home. Short-term kits can measure levels in just a few days, and results help homeowners decide if further action is needed. If high readings are found, certified mitigation professionals can install venting systems that reduce radon levels by up to 90%.
“Radon doesn’t make noise, doesn’t smell, and doesn’t wait,” said CDC officials. “Testing this Thanksgiving could save lives.”
South Carolina health officials note that Upstate and Midlands counties — including Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston — have reported elevated radon readings. With families gathering indoors for the holidays, experts say now is the time to make radon testing a household priority before winter sets in.
