Source : https :// www . lung . org / blog / radon-teen-advocate
foundations . Concerned about the health effects that radon may have on her family if they were being exposed , Paige bought at-home testing kits and began to monitor radon levels in her home . " Originally it just started as a way to ensure that my family and I were protected from this danger that I had heard about in the area ," Paige said . " I analyzed all the data I had collected and noticed that there were large spikes occurring at the same time as household water usage , specifically hot water usage ." Her detective work helped her family determine that the gas water heater was pulling radon into the basement when its exhaust fumes went up the flue . They were able to fix the problem with a new water heater that had a built-in fresh air intake from outside
Thus began a new crusade for the young but ambitious radon advocate . With the help and support of her began to conduct independent research projects on radon . That same year , through her research she discovered modest average radon measurements could mask intermittent high radon levels , which is why monitoring could provide more insight into ways to reduce household radon exposure . This work won her first place in division of the Reading Berks Science and Engineering fair and was the basis for her continued research .
A few years later , in her sophomore year , she once again focused on radon , but this time with an emphasis contaminate water . This research project was such a success it qualified her for the International Science and Fair ( ISEF ). There , she gained further accolades when it won first in the earth and environmental sciences category .