Dallas, TX – As families across Texas gather for Thanksgiving, health officials are sounding the alarm on a silent, invisible killer that could be lurking in homes this holiday season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) are urging residents to test for radon, a radioactive gas that poses serious health risks — especially during colder months when ventilation is low.
Radon forms as uranium in rock and soil naturally breaks down, releasing gas that seeps upward through cracks in foundations, drains, and flooring. Because it has no color, odor, or taste, families often have no idea they’re being exposed until it’s too late.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists radon as the second-leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for more than 21,000 deaths each year. While Texas typically reports lower radon levels than northern states, localized hotspots have been identified — especially in North and Central Texas, including Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin, where soil conditions can trap radon beneath homes.
Testing is simple, affordable, and the only way to detect radon. Short-term radon test kits, available online, at hardware stores, or through the Texas Radon Program, cost under $25 and provide results within days. The EPA recommends action if levels reach 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher — though no amount of radon is entirely safe.
If high levels are found, certified mitigation contractors can install venting systems that reduce radon concentrations by up to 90%. Sealing cracks and improving airflow can help as temporary solutions.
“Radon is a hidden killer — but testing is quick, easy, and life-saving,” CDC officials said. “This Thanksgiving, take ten minutes to make sure your home is safe.”
As Texans gather indoors for the holidays, state health leaders urge residents to make radon testing part of their winter home checklist — before this invisible threat overstays its welcome.
