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School Kids Warn About Dangers of Radon

Release Date: 01/17/2007
Contact Information: Roxanne Smith, (202) 564-4355 / smith.roxanne@epa.gov

(1/17/07) Six middle school children received kudos from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the acting U.S. Surgeon General for their efforts to raise awareness on radon. Radon, an invisible radioactive gas, causes lung cancer and kills about 20,000 Americans each year. The only way to know if your home contains high radon levels is to test for it.

The poster contest, for children ages 9 - 14, is run by the National Safety Council and co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and EPA. This year's contest had more than 700 entries from children in 28 states, three Tribal Nations and two U.S. Territories. This year's winners include two children from Alabama, two from New York, one from Pennsylvania, and one from Utah.

January is National Radon Action Month. EPA is launching a new radon Public Service Announcement featuring the Surgeon General's warning that people should test their homes for radon. This announcement is part of a larger effort to inform people that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon problems in homes can be easily tested and fixed.

Information on radon month: epa.gov/radon/rnactionmonth.html

Winners of the 2007 National Radon Poster Contest from the National Safety Council (exit EPA): http://www.nsc.org/issues/radon/poster_winners.htm