Science students create posters to educate public about dangers of radon

Eighth-grade science students at Dingman-Delaware Elementary School participated in a poster contest to educate people about the dangers of radon.

Submissions are in Harrisburg for judging. The project was headed up at DDES by science teacher Jessica Gregorski.

What is radon?

Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can kill. The Surgeon General lists radon exposure as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. This radioactive element comes from the ground and can easily enter homes and buildings through foundation openings. The only way to detect the amount of radon present is to test.

The poster contest aims to raise awareness about the problem of elevated levels of indoor radon gas, and to encourage people to test their homes for radon. Pennsylvania youth ages 9 to 14 were eligible to enter the contest.

The top three winners will receive an Amazon gift card: $100 for first place student, $75 for second, and $50 for third. The first place poster will also be entered in the national poster contest.

A panel of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection staff will select the top three posters across the state. Participating students had a choice of five themes:

1. What is radon?

2. Where does radon come from?

3. How does radon get into our homes?

4. Radon can cause lung cancer.

5. Test your home for radon.