Radon Activity Badge
What is radon?
Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is produced by naturally decaying uranium and radium.
What are the health effects of radon?
Exposure to radon gas increases your risk of developing lung cancer. The EPA estimates that 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States are due to radon exposure, which makes it the second leading cause of lung cancer following smoking.
How can Scouts learn more about radon?
Boy Scouts can earn the Radon Activity Badge. Program requirements are listed below. When the activities have been completed, a parent, guardian, or Scout Leader must sign off on the completed requirements and submit the "Radon Activity Badge Program Evaluation and Order Sheet" .
To:
Kalliie Sinkus
Environmental Programs Manager
American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest Health House
kallie.sinkus@lung.org
-or-
3000 Kelly Lane, Springfield, IL 62711
http://threefirescouncil.org/portfolio/radon-scout-activity-patch/
Illinois Specific Radon Information: Radon Activity Badge Program
The American Lung Association in Illinois (ALAIL) and Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) have partnered to develop a Radon Activity Badge Program for Boy Scouts. In order to receive a badge the following can be done as a troop or as an individual. The information below is all you will need to complete the program and earn a radon activity badge
Brochures available at
the American Lung
Association in Illinois
Contact Information:
Kallie Sinkus
Environmental Programs Manager
Program Requirements
Required for All Projects:
Parent or Troop Leader signature required, stating each of the following items have been viewed/read:
View radon video contest videos online at http://www.illinois.gov/iema/NRS/Radon/Pages/RadonContest.aspx
Read "The ABCs of Radon in Illinois" from IEMA at http://www.illinois.gov/iema/NRS/Radon/documents/abcofradon.pdf
Read "Guidelines for Radon Measurement in the Home" from IEMA (Age 14 - 18 only) at http://www.illinois.gov/iema/NRS/Radon/documents/guidelinesforhomemeas.pdf
Take online quiz
Choose ONE Activity Badge Project Option or design your own Eagle Scout Project
Radon at Home
Test your home for radon by following guidelines outlined in the test kit directions
Read through "The Citizen's Guide for Radon" with parents and discuss results found at www.epa.gov/radon/pdfs/citizensguide.pdf
Discuss your project, general radon information, test results, and where to purchase a test kit with neighbors or family members
Shadow a Radon Professional
Work with a radon measurement or mitigation professional while they're either performing a radon measurement or installing a mitigation system
Write a 1-page paper documenting interview questions and answers throughout shadowing process
Poster Contest/Radon Summary (Age 9 - 14 only)
Submit a poster in the Illinois radon poster contest
Rules are found online at www.HealthHouse.org/radon/il_poster.cfm
Video Contest (Age 14 - 18 only)
Develop a 1-minute video to participate in the Illinois High School Radon Video Contest
Rules are found online at www.HealthHouse.org/radon/il_vidcontest.cfm
3-Panel Display
Design a 3-panel display including photos, graphics, and literature about radon
Set-up display in a public location, including school, library, church, etc.
Research Paper
Write a 2-page, double-spaced summary (noting sources) of one of the following topics: Stanley Watras, Radon Measurement, Radon Mitigation, or Illinois Radon Program.
Radon Activity Badge Program Reporting Form
The reporting form will be used by the ALAIL and Boy Scouts to keep record of participation and patch orders. Please return to the ALAIL and Boy Scouts once the project is completed. Download the Reporting Form HERE.