SW health department’s radon poster contest open to youths

    Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department announces an opportunity for youths ages 9 to 14 to participate in the annual radon poster contest.  
     “The poster contest is a great way to teach kids about radon, which is a common health hazard in Nebraska,” said Joy Trail, Program Manager.
    Students can be sponsored by public, private or home school—or through a sponsoring club, such as an art, computer or science club, scouting organization or 4-H club.
    Copyrighted characters (such as Disney, Marvel Comics, Nebraska Huskers any sports teams), product logos and trademarked or brand names cannot be used, Trail said.
     The deadline for submitting posters to the health department is Nov. 30. Posters can be dropped off at the office at 404 West 10th Street in McCook or emailed to info@swhealth.ne.gov.
    More information and contest requirements can be found at swhealth.ne.gov.
     Prizes will be given to the top three student posters in these age groups: 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14. Every child who participates will receive a gift and a discount on a radon test kit that their parents can use to test their home for radon, Trail said.
     In Nebraska, one out of every two homes tested has a high radon level. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers.
    Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that enters homes and buildings through the breakdown of uranium in the soil and cannot be detected unless it is tested.