Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless and tasteless. And it’s a problem in Alabama’s homes.

Radon is produced when uranium breaks down in soil and water. Radon is harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air, but it can increase the risk of lung cancer when it is trapped in buildings. Anyone can get lung cancer from breathing in high levels of radon over time. Symptoms of dangerous radon exposure can include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. More, it can take many years for lung cancer to develop from radon exposure. If you smoke, the risk is vastly elevated.

The Environmental Protection Agency considers Alabama, especially northern Alabama, and Southern Tennessee to be at the highest risk of radon gas — the leading cause of cancer in non-smokers. According to the Indoor Environments Association Radon Report Card of 2024, out of 3,959 lung cancer cases, 362, or nearly 10 percent, were positively linked to radon exposure.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 1 in 15 homes has a radon problem. In Alabama, 15 counties especially have been identified as having the highest potential for elevated radon levels: Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Shelby and Talladega.

The only way to tell if a home has a radon problem is to check with a radon testing kit — something that officials suggest we do every two years or when any structural changes are made to a home. Radon levels of 4pCi/l indicate that immediate action needs to be taken — and the only way to confirm that level is by testing.

Alabama households can order one free radon test kit online via ADPH while supplies last. Recipients are only responsible for paying a return shipping fee.

For more information about the ADPH and radon testing, contact Nick Swindall at John.Swindall@adph.state.al.usand visit the radon web page at https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/radon/index.html.