As families across Arizona prepare for Thanksgiving, state health authorities are warning of a silent, invisible menace that may be infiltrating homes undetected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) are encouraging residents to test for radon, a radioactive gas that can cause major long-term health concerns, especially in desert settings like the Southwest.
Radon is naturally created when uranium in soil and rock degrades, generating gas that rises through cracks, drains, and foundations. Because it has no odor, color, or taste, most householders are unaware they are being exposed.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon exposure is the second greatest cause of lung cancer in the United States, accounting for more than 21,000 fatalities per year. While Arizona’s overall radon levels are generally lower than those in northern states, pockets of high risk have been detected in Northern and Central Arizona, including Flagstaff, Prescott, and parts of Phoenix’s East Valley, where specific soil characteristics allow radon to build.
Testing is the only method for detecting radon. Short-term radon test kits are less than $25 and take only a few days to complete. They may be purchased online, at hardware stores, or through the Arizona Radon Program. The EPA suggests taking action if the results are 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or above, while no level is fully safe.
If elevated levels are discovered, licensed mitigation professionals can build systems to safely vent radon outdoors, lowering concentrations by up to 90%. Sealing foundation cracks and boosting ventilation can also reduce exposure.
“Radon is silent, odorless, and deadly—but easy to prevent,” CDC experts stated. “Testing your home this Thanksgiving could protect your family’s health for years to come.”
As Arizonans celebrate the holiday, health experts advise residents to include radon testing on their winter home checklist, before this invisible killer lingers throughout the season.
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