Hamilton Intermediate High School Students Sweep Lung Association’s Statewide Radon Poster Contest

Lung Cancer Awareness Month is underway, and the American Lung Association and the Indiana Department of Health are happy to announce the winners of the 2024 Indiana Radon Poster contest. The contest is held each year to raise awareness of radon gas, the second-leading cause of lung cancer deaths.

Middle and high school students across Indiana were eligible to participate in the poster contest to help promote radon awareness. This year’s winners are:

The 2024 poster winners and their prizes include:

• 1st place – Niamh E.– Hamilton Intermediate, Fishers, IN, $200
• 2nd place – Samantha R. – Hamilton Intermediate, Fishers, IN, $150
• 3rd place – Olivia P. – Hamilton Intermediate, Fishers, IN, $100

"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. "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 gas is formed underground. It is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas created by the breakdown of uranium in rock and soil. It is found in all 50 states and may enter a home through cracks and other openings in a home. Radon can build up to dangerous levels and is only detectable by performing a home test.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends all homes with radon levels at or equal to 4 picocuries per liter install a radon mitigation system.

“We truly appreciate the energy, time and work so many students across the state put into their posters,” said Paul Krievins, director of the Lead and Healthy Homes Division at the Indiana Department of Health. “All of their efforts help their parents and fellow Hoosiers to recognize the danger radon poses."

This year’s winners were selected by the Lung Association and the Indiana Department of Health and Human Services. The next poster contest begins on January 1, 2025, and students have until March 15, 2025, to submit their entries.

For questions about radon or to test your home, visit Lung.org/radon or contact the Lung Association at 1-800-325-1245.

For more information on the poster and video contest please contact Janye Killelea via email at [email protected] or call (312) 940-7624.