Tag Archives: Art contest

Winning with Radon

My name is Hayden.  I am a sixth grader from Athens, GA.  I entered a poster contest about testing your home for radon and won first place in the state and second place for the nation. I learned a lot about radon and how each year it kills more people than drunk driving.  Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Also, if you smoke, it can further increase your chances of getting lung cancer.

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that can be found all over the United States.  It is a natural occurring element that comes from the ground.  Radon can seep through cracks or pipes and get into your home.  The odorless, invisible gas gets trapped inside buildings and houses which can be dangerous to your health.

Testing is the only way to determine the level of radon in your home, school or building. Radon detection kits are not very expensive and can be purchased online, as well as at hardware stores and other retail outlets.  The kits come with instructions that are easy to follow and should only take a few minutes of your time.

If you discover your home has high levels of radon, professionals can help reduce the amount of trapped radon and help you lower the risk of radon-induced lung cancer.  You can also build new homes that are equipped to be radon-resistant.  

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sponsors a national poster contest each year for children between the ages of 9 and 14. The radon specialists need your help in spreading facts about radon.  So get busy and spread the word that radon kills!   Visit www.sosradon.org to learn more about radon and to gather information about the annual poster contest.

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