Jan. 22, 2016

FLORIDA HEALTH CONGRATULATES WINNERS OF 2016 RADON POSTER CONTEST

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.—Florida Health is proud to announce the winners of the 2016 Florida Radon Poster Contest. The department’s Radon and Indoor Air Program conducts this contest annually to help increase the number of Florida homes tested for radon and to educate residents about reducing radon levels.

“The goal of the National Radon Action Plan is to eliminate avoidable radon induced lung cancer,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “These students took the time to learn about radon and educate their fellow Floridians about the health hazards posed by radon. I am impressed by their efforts.”

The department received a large number of talented entries and it was difficult to decide the top three contestants. All winners are students from the Hollywood Academy of Arts and Science in Hollywood, FL:

• First place, Stephanie Salgado, “Don't Put a Smile on Death’s Face with Radon;”
• Second place, Laila Benotmane, “I Am Colorless, Odorless, Tasteless;” and
• Third place, Analee Hyacinthe, “Secure Your Home.”

Each year, Florida’s winning posters are entered in the National Radon Poster Contest. The National Radon Poster Contest gives students age 10–14 the opportunity to educate themselves and others about the dangers of radon.

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, colorless, tasteless, radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium, which is found in most soils and earthen construction materials. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. An estimated 21,000 deaths occur each year from radon-induced lung cancer.

For more information about radon, its health effects and testing procedures, please visit the department’s Radon Program website or contact the Florida Department of Health Radon Hotline at 1-800-543-8279.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.