The Radon Kids
By Wendy Dew
You are never too young to start saving the world! Kids of all ages are tackling tough environmental issues with enthusiasm and drive.
Eric,10, and sister Christina, 12, have founded the grassroots initiative RAP-Detect to Protect, a collaborative with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the American Lung Association. The objective of Radon Awareness Project, or RAP, is to work in partnership with city, county and state offices to assure that families, schools and elected officials are aware of the potential threat. Christina was recently recognized for her entry in the Colorado 2011 Radon Poster Contest. This is their third award in the contest. Their first came in 2008 when they first learned of the contest and radon.
January is National Radon Action Month and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and eight other federal agencies are announcing a new effort to strengthen the fight against radon exposure. Radon exposure is the leading cause of non-smoking lung cancer.
Radon is a naturally-occurring, invisible and odorless radioactive gas. One in 15 American homes contains high levels of radon. Millions of Americans are unknowingly exposed to this dangerous gas. By taking simple steps to test your home for radon and fix if necessary, this health hazard can be avoided.
If your home hasn’t been tested for radon in the past two years, EPA and the Surgeon General urge you to take action. Contact your state radon office for information on locating qualified test kits or qualified radon testers.
About the author: Wendy Dew has been with EPA for 13 years and is the Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator for Region 8 in Denver, Colorado.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Feb 01, 2011 @ 08:29:48
We all should learn from those two kids about their innovative idea. The thing that we the adults should have done, was done by those kids. I really appreciate the idea and their effort. My moral support are with them. Best of luck.
Feb 15, 2011 @ 12:50:27
Radon is a scary mystery to most people. I’d like to see a good presentation on it. Something like 60 Minutes might do…
LarryTheMortgageGuy
Mar 24, 2011 @ 23:47:06
I did not know radon is that harmful even though it helps. Thanks for the information!
Jun 14, 2012 @ 15:58:16
RAP sounds like a fantastic program, the more children know about radon the better because you know they will go home and ask their parents about radon gas, and if their home is safe!
Feb 04, 2014 @ 11:07:52
thanks
Mar 11, 2014 @ 15:05:37
Hopefully programs like this spread throughout the United States to let kids everywhere be aware as well as their parents about radon prevention.