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EPA to Host Georgia's Radon Poster Contest Awards Ceremony

Release Date: 10/23/2006
Contact Information: Laura Niles, (404) 562-8353, niles.laura@epa.gov

(ATLANTA – October 23, 2006) EPA will host the Third Annual State of Georgia Radon Poster Contest Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, October 24 at 2:00 p.m. Approximately 25 students will be recognized for outstanding artwork in county and state competitions in the radon poster contest. There will be four guest speakers, whose topics will include radon mitigation, building homes with radon-resistant features, and testing for radon before buying or selling a home. A reception and tour of the EPA Athens facility will follow the awards ceremony.

The Radon Poster Contest, jointly sponsored by EPA and USDA, is intended to raise awareness of radon and the importance of testing homes and fixing elevated levels. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is invisible and odorless. It originates from naturally occurring uranium and radium found in soil, rock and water. When trapped in buildings, radon can be harmful, especially at elevated levels.

Radon is a serious threat to public health and is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Nearly one in 15 homes in the U.S. has a high level of indoor radon. However, radon is a problem that can be fixed. Reliable radon tests can be purchased from some local hardware stores or from the National Radon Hotline at 1-800-SOS-RADON. For certified radon testers or mitigation professionals, please visit https://www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html.

Who: EPA Region 4 Science and Ecosystem Support Division Director, Mike Peyton,
Associate Dean, University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Services Outreach, Dr. Jorge Atiles,
Radon mitigator, Johnny Miller,
Athens Region Hospital Chest Cancer Center Director, Rhonda Bogdanow,
Home builder for radon-resistant homes, Jim Casey, and
Realtor, Linda Carroll

What: Awards ceremony for Georgia Radon Poster Contest winners

When: 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Where: EPA Science and Ecosystem Support Division
980 College Station Rd.
Athens, Georgia 30605

For more information on radon, the public can contact EPA’s Office of Indoor Air at 1-800-438-4318, or visit www.epa.gov/radon.