HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently announced the winners of the 2025 Pennsylvania Student Radon Poster Contest while continuing its educational campaign urging residents to test their homes for radon gas during the recognition of National Radon Action Month in January.
The first-place award went to Regan Schall, a seventh-grader at North Hills Middle School, whose winning poster will compete in a national contest. Audrey Rau, a ninth-grader from Monroe Career and Technical Institute, earned second place, and David Culp, a fourth-grade student at Pittston Area Intermediate Center, placed third. The posters, judged for accuracy and creativity, are part of statewide efforts to raise public awareness about the dangers of radon exposure.
“We want to thank all the students who participated in this year’s Student Radon Poster Contest,” said DEP Radon Program Manager Bob Lewis. “We’re pleased to include these winning posters as part of our radon educational outreach to Pennsylvanians in 2025.”
Radon is an invisible, odorless, radioactive gas that forms from the natural breakdown of uranium and radium in rocks and soil. It seeps into homes through foundations and can accumulate to hazardous levels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States. According to DEP, approximately 40 percent of Pennsylvania homes have levels exceeding the EPA’s recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter).
“Around 40 percent of Pennsylvania homes have higher levels of radon gas than federal guidelines consider safe. However, every Pennsylvanian should take radon awareness seriously, as it poses significant potential health risks. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, second only to smoking,” said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “What makes radon particularly concerning is that you can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. There are no symptoms to alert you to its presence in the home. That is why every Pennsylvanian should ensure their families are safe and test for radon.”
The colder months are ideal for testing radon levels, as homes are closed and more likely to trap gas indoors. Homeowners can purchase test kits from hardware stores or hire state-certified radon testing professionals. If high radon levels are detected, mitigation systems costing between $800 and $1,200 can be installed to reduce exposure effectively.
DEP encourages Pennsylvanians to test their homes and take action if necessary. Residents needing assistance with test results or information on radon mitigation can call the Radon Division at 717-783-3594 or the Radon Hotline at 800-237-2366. DEP also provides contact information for state-certified radon contractors and laboratories.
Through initiatives like the poster contest and National Radon Action Month education, DEP aims to reduce radon-related health risks. “Testing your home is a simple step that can protect your family,” Shirley emphasized. Homeowners are encouraged to act proactively to safeguard their health and ensure a safer living environment.
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