Young artist winners recognized in 2024 Northwest Radon Poster Contest

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has announced the 2024 Northwest Radon Poster Contest's young winners. 

Aimed at nine to fourteen-year-old artists, the competition aims to spotlight the dangers of elevated indoor radon levels and advocate for testing and mitigation efforts.

Gary Garrety, Radon Program Director at DOH, expressed gratitude for the young artists’ participation, stating, “We appreciate each student who participated. Every submission helped make this year’s contest a success. Special thanks to the teachers, youth groups, and families who supported their youth’s participation.”

Entries were evaluated by a team of radon specialists across the Northwest, focusing on criteria such as accuracy, visual communication, and originality. 

The winners from Washington state are:

• 1st Place: Lin Spichiger, age 10, from Shelton
• 2nd Place: Daphne Sayigh, age 11, from Seattle
• 3rd Place: Vivian Truitt, age 11, from Seattle
• Regional Grand Prize: Lin Spichiger, age 10, from Shelton

The winning posters can be viewed by visiting the DOH website.

The winning poster from each state will advance to the 2025 National Radon Poster Contest.

The Northwest Radon Poster Contest is made possible through the collaboration of various organizations, including the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Nez Perce Tribe, Oregon Health Authority, Spokane Tribe of Indians, and DOH, along with the Northwest Radon Coalition and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into buildings from the ground, posing significant health risks and is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, claiming around 20,000 lives annually nationwide.