Lung Association Announces Student Winners of Annual Statewide Radon Poster Contest

January is National Radon Action Month, and the American Lung Association along with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, and the Missouri Radon Coalition are applauding the winners of the 2024 Missouri Radon Poster contest. The yearly contest raises awareness of radon gas, the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths.

Middle and high school students across Missouri were eligible to participate in the poster contest to help promote radon awareness. This year’s winners are:

The 2024 poster winners and their prizes include:

• Overall winner – Lilly M., Canton R-V School District ($200)
• “What is radon” Category winner– Bryson B., Canton R-V School District ($100)
• “What is radon” Category Honorable mention– Xhavier C., Canton R-V School District ($50)
• “How does radon get into homes Category winner” – Landon S., Canton R-V School District ($100)
• “How does radon get into homes” Honorable mention - Natalie M., Homeschool ($50)
• “Radon can cause lung cancer” Category winner – Audrianna G., Canton R-V School District ($100)
• “Radon can cause lung cancer” Honorable mention – Kinley D., Canton R-V School District ($50)
• “Testing homes for radon” Category winner - Aleighseanna C., Canton R-V School District ($100)
• “Testing homes for radon” Honorable mention – Alivia A., Canton R-V School District ($50)

"It’s amazing to see the children bringing radon awareness to their local communities,” said Jill Heins, Senior Director Nationwide, Health Systems Improvement and Indoor Air Quality at the Lung Association. "Every year radon causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths and the only way to know if your home has high levels is to test."

Radon gas is formed underground. It is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas created by the breakdown of uranium in rock and soil. It is found in all 50 states and may enter a home through cracks and other openings in a home. Radon can build up to dangerous levels and is only detectable by performing a home test.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends all homes with radon levels at or equal to 4 picocuries per liter install a radon mitigation system, and the EPA recommends those with indoor radon levels between 2 and 4 pCi/L consider fixing their home.

“We truly appreciate the energy, time and work so many students across the state put into their posters,” said Brandi Hamilton, Program Manager for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Radon Program. “All of their efforts help their parents and fellow Missourians to recognize the danger radon poses."

For questions about radon or to test your home, visit Lung.org/radon or contact the Lung Association at 1-800-325-1245.

For more information on the poster and video contest please contact Janye Killelea via email at [email protected] or call (312) 940-7624.