Health district’s radon poster winners named

    Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) announced its Radon Poster Contest winners.  
    This year’s 12th annual contest was held in January during Radon Action Month and was open to children ages 9 to 14 years old.
     “The radon poster contest encourages students to learn more about radon and its negative health effects,” said Joy Trail, Program Manager.  
    “We always enjoy seeing the creativity and humor displayed in the radon posters made each year by students in southwest Nebraska,” she said.
    Winners were presented with prizes by mail this year, due to COVID-19.  
     Judges selected the following posters:
Ages 9 to 10
    1st Selah Lozano, Dundy County Stratton Elementary
    2nd Violet Schwartz, Hitchcock County Elementary
    3rd Scotlyn McClain, Hitchcock County Elementary
    4th Cort Neben, Hitchcock County Elementary
    5th Autumn Sutton, Dundy County Stratton Elementary
Ages 11 to 12
    1st Otto Matson, Hitchcock County Elementary
    2nd Shelby Wiley, Hitchcock County Elementary
    3rd  Scot Ladenburger, Dundy County Stratton Elementary
    4th Lailah Swanson, Hitchcock County Elementary
    5th Liberty Merklin, Hitchcock County Elementary
    There were no entries in the 13-14 division.
     Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that enters homes and buildings and cannot be detected unless it is tested.  
    In Nebraska, one out of two homes test high for radon. Do-it-yourself test kits are available at SWNPHD offices or by mail for a small fee.