El Paso, Texas – A dangerous gas could already be building inside homes across West Texas as large spring temperature swings keep windows closed overnight, allowing radon—known as the “invisible killer”—to accumulate indoors within hours. The risk increases quickly when airflow is limited during cooler desert nights and early morning hours.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally in soil and can enter homes through foundation cracks, slab floors, and crawl spaces. While Texas is generally considered a moderate radon-risk state, parts of West Texas have recorded elevated readings, with some homes exceeding the EPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter.
In El Paso and surrounding communities including Socorro, Horizon City, and Las Cruces, homes built on slab foundations are especially vulnerable during seasonal transitions. Residents often keep homes sealed overnight to maintain indoor temperatures, which can trap radon indoors. Health officials warn that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, linked to about 21,000 deaths annually.
Radon exposure produces no immediate symptoms, making testing the only reliable way to detect it. Short-term test kits can return results within 48 to 96 hours, and mitigation systems can reduce indoor levels by up to 99 percent when properly installed.
Residents are urged to test homes now as conditions through April continue to support indoor buildup. Additional advisories may be issued as risks persist into early summer across West Texas.
