Lung Cancer Awareness Month brings recognition to the winners of the 2024 Indiana Radon Poster contest, organized by the American Lung Association and the Indiana Department of Health. The annual contest aims to increase awareness about radon gas, a significant cause of lung cancer deaths.
Eligible middle and high school students from across Indiana participated in this year's contest. "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. She emphasized that "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 is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed by uranium breakdown in rock and soil. It is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and can accumulate indoors through cracks or openings in buildings. The Environmental Protection Agency advises installing mitigation systems in homes with radon levels at or above 4 picocuries per liter.
Paul Krievins, director of the Lead and Healthy Homes Division at the Indiana Department of Health, expressed gratitude for student participation: “We truly appreciate the energy, time and work so many students across the state put into their posters.” Their efforts contribute to raising awareness among Hoosiers about radon's dangers.
The Lung Association and Indiana Department of Health selected this year's winners. The next poster contest starts on January 1, 2025, with entries due by March 15, 2025.
For more information on testing for radon or participating in future contests, visit Lung.org/radon or contact Janye Killelea via email at [email protected] or call (312) 940-7624.
