DIXON – Students from across Illinois are helping the Illinois Emergency Management Agency’s Office of Homeland Security and the American Lung Association spread awareness about the dangers of radon.
The IEMA-OHS and ALA are running two statewide contests for Illinois students. The contest for high school students will feature 30-second commercial-style video submissions encouraging Illinois residents to test their homes for radon, while middle school students will be tasked with creating awareness posters.
The 2025 Illinois High School Radon Video Contest is open to all high school students and their classes. Submissions are due to the ALA by Saturday, March 15.
About $1,700 will be awarded, and the top 10 videos will earn the following monetary prizes:
- First place: $600
- Second place: $500
- Third place: $400
- Most views: $200
For more information on the contest, including the official rules and how to register, visit the ALA website at lung.org/il/radon-video.
The 2025 Illinois Radon Poster Contest is open to students ages 9 to 14. A state committee will choose the top-three winning posters from across the state to receive the following awards:
- First place: $200
- Second place: $150
- Third place: $100
For more information on the contest, including the official rules and how to register, visit the ALA website at lung.org/il/radon-poster.
“Radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year and is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked,” said Jill Heins-Nesvold, the ALA of Illinois' nationwide senior director of indoor air quality. “Since radon is odorless, tasteless and colorless, the only way to detect radon in your home is to test the air. This is why it is critical for everyone to test their home. This contest is a perfect way for everyone to learn more about this dangerous gas and take action to protect yourself and your loved ones.”
January is National Radon Action Month, and IEMA-OHS Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau warns that each year more than 1,100 people in Illinois are estimated to develop radon-related lung cancer.
Residents can purchase radon test kits by calling the Illinois Radon Hotline at 800-325-1245 or most department and hardware stores. Conducting both a long-term and short-term test to ensure consistency in readings is recommended, and homes with higher readings should call the hotline to seek a licensed mitigation professional.
For information, visit the IEMA-OHS Radon page at iemaohs.illinois.gov.