Lung Association Announces Student Winners of National Radon Poster and Video Contests

Today, the American Lung Association, in collaboration with the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD), announced the winners of the 2026 National Radon Poster and Video Contests. These annual contests are part of a nationwide effort to increase awareness of the health risks of radon gas and the importance of home testing. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and the number one cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked.

The 2026 National Radon Poster Contest winners and their scholarships are as follows:

1st Place: Regan Schall of North Hills Middle School in Pittsburgh, PA for “Boo to Radon” ($1,000). Winning submission featured below. Downloadable image here.

2nd Place: Emmalee Kertz of Westran R-1 in Huntsville, MO for “Do You Have Radon in Your Home?” ($300)

3rd Place: Karson Raap of Asbury, Iowa for “Radon: The Silent Killer in the Air” ($200)

Ryan Garcia of John I. Leonard High School in Greenacres, FL won first place in the 2026 National Radon Video Contest and a $1,000 scholarship for “RADON EXE.”

“Radon is an invisible danger, responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths each year in the United States. We are proud to support CRCPD’s annual National Radon Poster and Video Contest. It is part of a vital public health effort to engage communities nationwide and raise awareness of both radon’s health risks and the importance of home testing, which is easy, inexpensive and can save lives,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “Congratulations to the contest winners, and to all participants: you are the next generation of healthy air advocates.”

“We’re especially proud that this year’s first place poster winner comes from right here in Pennsylvania,” said Caroline Hutchinson, Executive Director of the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania. “Youth like Regan Schall are helping to highlight a serious issue in our state. With high levels of radon found in nearly 40% of Pennsylvania homes, increasing awareness is critical. We hope this recognition inspires more families to take action. Testing your home for radon is simple, inexpensive, and one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family’s health.”

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the soil that can accumulate indoors to hazardous levels. It is colorless, odorless and tasteless. Radon can enter a home through cracks and openings in walls, basements, floors and foundations. Radon exposure has no immediate symptoms, irritating effects or warning signs. The only way to detect radon in your home is to test for it. Do-it-yourself test kits are available at hardware stores and trusted online retailers.

The national winners were selected from the top state submissions. The Lung Association and CRCPD commend all participants nationwide for their efforts.

For more details about the poster and video contest, contact your state radon program. To learn about radon or test your home, visit Lung.org/radon.

Get involved and help the mission of the American Lung Association. The Fight For Air Climb in Pittsburgh is coming up on March 28, 2026. Learn more at FightForAirClimb.org/pittsburgh. The Fight For Air Climb in Philadelphia is also coming up on April 11, 2026. For more information, visit FightForAirClimb.org/philadelphia.