Northwest students invited to enter 2026 radon poster contest

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Health is inviting students ages 9 to 14 to participate in the 2026 Northwest Radon Poster Contest, an annual competition held during Radon Action Month to increase awareness about radon and its health risks.

The contest is open to students in Washington, Idaho and Oregon who are enrolled in public, private or homeschool programs or who participate in organized groups such as scouting, art, science or 4-H. Each student may submit one poster.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate inside homes regardless of age or construction. Because radon is odorless and invisible, testing is the only way to detect it. Long-term exposure to radon can cause lung cancer. According to public health officials, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among people who do not smoke and the second leading cause overall.

Posters must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Feb. 28. Winners will be announced by March 31. Contest rules, lesson materials and entry forms are available on the Northwest Radon Poster Contest website.

Students who place at the state level will receive cash prizes, with $100 awarded for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place. One regional grand prize of $300 will also be awarded. First-place winners from each state will advance to the 2026 National Radon Poster Contest.

The contest is sponsored by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Oregon Health Authority, the Spokane Tribe of Indians and the Washington State Department of Health. Additional support is provided by the Northwest Radon Coalition and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10.