SWNPHD announces radon poster contest

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) announces their fifth annual local Radon Poster Contest.

"Youth ages nine to 14 that live within the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department district are eligible to participate," said Denise Ringenberg, Health Educator. These counties include: Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Perkins and Red Willow. Three top winning posters are selected and forwarded on to the Nebraska state competition.

"Prizes are awarded to encourage youth participation. This year's prizes are gift cards valued at $125, $100 and $75," Ringenberg said. Every participant will receive recognition.

JoAnn Neel, a student a McCook Junior High, won the Nebraska contest and placed 3rd at Nationals. "We were so excited for JoAnn and hope to see our local winners do well at the state and national level," shared Ringenberg. Over 300 posters were entered in the 2012 SWNPHD local contest, which is one of the largest in the nation. The goal of the contest is to raise awareness about the dangers of radon. As the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, radon is not well known. It is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that enters homes and buildings through the soil and cannot be detected unless it is tested. In Nebraska, one out of every two homes tested has a high radon level (above 4.0 pCi/L).

Posters deadline is Oct. 4, 2013. Artwork submission forms, poster contest criteria and national information may be found at the website at educate@swhealth.ne.gov or call Denise Ringenberg at 308-345-4223. SWNPHD is located at 404 West 10th Street, McCook. Past poster winners can be found on the web site www.swhealth.ne.gov. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.