Tallahassee, Fla. — January is National Radon Action Month, a period during which the Florida Department of Health announces the winners of the 2024 Florida Radon Poster Contest. This annual contest encourages middle-school students across Florida to create original designs and concepts to educate their communities about the health risks associated with elevated indoor radon levels.
Florida's top three winners are also entered into the national contest organized by Radon Leaders, an online learning and action network supporting the Radon Leaders Saving Lives campaign. Since 2008, Florida’s participants have won the national competition nine times.
The 2024 Florida contest winners are:
First Place: “Test Your Home Today to Keep Cancer Away” by Mairead Polland from Hollywood Academy of Arts & Science, Eighth Grade.
Second Place: “Radon” by Victoria Hernandez from Miami Arts Studio, Eighth Grade.
Third Place: “Radon Can Cause Lung Cancer” by Alice Zemskoff from Hollywood Academy of Arts & Science, Eighth Grade.
Honorable Mention: “Radon the Grim Reaper” by Michael Yin from Omni Middle School, Sixth Grade.
The contest aims to promote awareness about radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is colorless and odorless. It is a significant source of everyday radiation exposure and has been linked to approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in recent years. For non-smokers, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths nationwide.
Radon originates from uranium found in soil and can enter buildings through cracks in foundations or other openings. It can accumulate in any type of building, including homes and high-rises. Nationwide, one in 15 homes has elevated radon levels; in Florida, this ratio increases to one in five homes—and even one in three homes in certain areas.
Testing for radon at home is simple and free test kits can be requested via Radon.FloridaHealth.gov. The website also provides information on locating certified radon measurement professionals and lists public and private schools as well as day care facilities that have measured their indoor radon levels.
For further assistance or inquiries about testing for radon, contact DOH's Florida Radon Program at 1-800-543-8279.
The Florida Department of Health works to protect and improve public health through integrated efforts at state, county, and community levels. More information can be found on their official website www.FloridaHealth.gov or through their social media channels @HealthyFla on Twitter and Facebook.
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