Hollywood Student Wins State Radon Poster Contest, Orlando in Second Place

A student from the Hollywood Academy of Arts and Science in Hollywood, Logan Stewart, is the winner of the 2011 Florida State Radon Poster Contest.  Danielle Villegas from Hunter’s Creek Middle School in Orlando tied for second place.

Stewart, with her poster entitled, “Keep Your Family Safe”, also won the National Radon Poster Contest sponsored by the National Radon Program Services and the U.s. Environmental Protection Agency.

Villegas, with her poster titled, “Radon Gas”, tied for second place with Jana Henson from Walker Middle School in Odessa, with her poster titled “Deadly Radon.” Honorable Mention distinctions were awarded to Hanna Jessup of Montford Middle School in Tallahassee and Chris Mailloux of Lexington Middle I.B. World School in Ft. Myers.  The statewide contest had 266 entries and is held annually to highlight the risks posed by exposure to indoor radon and to encourage radon testing and mitigation.

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, colorless, and tasteless radioactive gas found in Florida and all over the United States.  Nationally, an average of one out of 15 homes has elevated radon and in Florida, about one out of five homes.  Radon is found in all regions of Florida and in all types of buildings regardless of age or size; radon can be found in a one-story house or a 20-story condominium building.

The level of radon exposure in homes, schools and other buildings can be determined through a simple test.  The level of radon can be tested using a radon test kit, which can be found in most hardware stores, or by hiring a Florida certified radon-testing business.  More information about testing can be obtained by calling the Florida radon program at 800-543-8279 or from the website http://radon.doh.state.fl.us.  If elevated levels of radon are detected, proven mitigation techniques can be used to lower the levels to a safe amount.