Illinois Students Raise Awareness of Deadly Radon Gas Through Award-Winning Creations

Local students are being recognized for using their creativity to spotlight a serious health threat hiding in plain sight. The American Lung Association and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency-Office of Homeland Security announced the winners of the 2026 Illinois Radon Poster and Video Contest, where students use their creativity to help raise awareness of radon - a colorless, odorless gas found in homes and schools across the state and the leading cause of lung cancer for individuals who do not smoke.

One out of every 15 homes in the United States have elevated levels of radon. In Illinois, 33.5% of homes have reported radon test results equal to or above the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action level of 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Schools are the second largest source of radon exposure for students and staff as they spend nearly eight hours inside these buildings five days a week for nearly 10 months.

To raise awareness of radon’s health risk and the importance of testing, middle and high school students across Illinois were eligible to participate in the radon poster and video contests.

This year’s winners are:

The 2026 poster winners and their prizes include:

• 1st place – Atharva Karale, Hickory Grove Elementary School ($200)
• 2nd place –Sommachi Okwudili, S.T.E.M. Academy ($150)
• 3rd place – Zooey Kubly, Park Junior High School ($100)

The 2026 video winners and their prize include:

• 1st place – Breaking News-Radon Gas – Madison Roberts, Megan Pyykkonen, Evelyn Wieringa, and Lilian Rankin, Wheaton Academy ($600 split/$150 each)
• 2nd place – Radon Awareness Video – Jackson Younce, Wheaton Academy ($500)
• 3rd place – Radon Gas – Anna Frankel – Hinsdale High School ($400)
• Video Most Views – Importance of Radon – Jimena Rivera & Jennifer Hernandez, Morton West High School ($200 split/$100 each)

“Radon is a serious but often overlooked health risk, and these students are helping to change that,” said Melinda Enstrom, Office of Nuclear Safety, Radon Program Manager with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security. “We truly appreciate the time, energy, and work students across the state put into their posters and videos. Their work is helping to educate communities across Illinois about the risks and the simple steps that can be taken to stay safe.”

Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas formed by the breakdown of

uranium in the soil. It is found in all 50 states and may enter a home or building through cracks in the foundation and other openings. The EPA recommends all homes or buildings with radon levels at or equal to 4 picocuries per liter to get a radon mitigation system installed to reduce levels.

“Radon may be invisible, but its impact is very real, and these students are making sure people are paying attention,” said Alexis Gigliello, Nationwide Manager, Indoor Air Quality with the American Lung Association. “It’s inspiring to see students take the lead in raising awareness and protecting the health of families across Illinois. Their creativity is helping shine a light on this dangerous gas and reminding communities that testing is the only way to know if you’re at risk.”

The Lung Association and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency-Office of Homeland Security selected this year’s winners. The first-place winner of the Illinois Radon Poster and Video Contests will be entered into the 2027 National Radon Poster and Video Contest. Details for the 2027 contests will be announced on the contest websites at Illinois Radon Poster Contest and Illinois Radon Video Contest.

For questions about radon or to test your home, visit Lung.org/radon or contact the Illinois Radon HelpLine at 1-800-325-1245.

For more information on the poster and video contest please contact Janye Killelea via email at [email protected] or call (312) 940-7624.