Colorado has high levels of radon, which can cause lung cancer

By: Jan Lowery

Outlets: Colorado Newsline

Published: February 27, 2026

Words: 933

Last Updated: 1 week, 6 days ago

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This commentary was originally published by The Conversation.

In Colorado, as of 2025, about 500 people a year die from lung cancer as the result of radon gas exposure. Nationally, the number of lung cancer deaths attributed to radon is about 21,000 per year.

Radon is present nearly everywhere outdoors, yet typically at levels that are not harmful. It becomes dangerous when it gets trapped and accumulates inside homes, schools and …

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