Test kit for radon gas. | Wikimedia Commons
Test kit for radon gas. | Wikimedia Commons
A 1-minute YouTube video created by six Vandalia Community High School students to raise awareness of the health dangers of radioactive radon gas earned an honorable mention in a recent contest.
The Vandalia team consisted of Garrett Austin, Bradyn Kaiser, Lanee McNary, Megan Kern, Matthew Hobler and Connor Satterwaite.
Illinois students submitted 122 posters and 138 videos for the contest put on by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the American Lung Association, which provided prize money.
“These contests help us spread the message about radon and the importance of testing homes for this health hazard,” IEMA Acting Director William P. Robertson said in a press release. “As students learn more about radon, they often encourage friends and family to test their homes. The posters and videos also help people understand the importance of testing their homes and taking steps to reduce high levels of radon if it’s detected.”
In addition to video, there was a poster contest. The winning poster will compete at a national level: the 2018 National Radon Poster Contest sponsored by the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors.
The IEMA estimates 1,200 Illinoisans die per year from lung cancer related to radon exposure. The colorless, odorless, tasteless gas is produced by decaying uranium in the soil, which occurs naturally. It gets into buildings because of cracks and exposed soil, sometimes found in crawl spaces.
“It is estimated that approximately 21,000 deaths in the U.S. each year are caused by radon-induced lung cancer,” ALA Vice President of Environmental Health Angela Tin said in the news release. “Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and can be prevented by simply testing, and, if necessary, mitigating your home.”
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Video contest
| Student | School | City | Award | |
| 1st place | Luca Warren | Wheaton North High School | Wheaton | $1,000 to winning student plus $300 to the school |
| 2nd place | Luke Fritz | Wheaton Academy | West Chicago | $750 prize to winning student plus $200 to the school |
| 3rd place | Matt Dujardin | St. Charles East High School | St. Charles | $500 prize to winning student $100 to the school |
| Honorable Mention | Elizabeth Mueller | Metamora Township High School | Metamora | |
| Honorable Mention | Patrick Zerrudo | Fremd High School | Palatine | |
| Honorable Mention | Alex Burandt and Ken Kanwischer | Wheaton North High School | Wheaton | |
| Honorable Mention | Justin Riddle and Joshua Woodall | Wheaton Academy | West Chicago | |
| Honorable Mention | Garrett Austin, Bradyn Kaiser, Lanee McNary, Megan Kern, Matthew Hobler and Connor Satterwaite | Vandalia Community High School, | Vandalia | |
| Honorable Mention | Jalan Lee, Richard Lester and Emily Stadelmyer | Zion Benton Township High School | Zion | |
| Honorable Mention | Noah Curtin | Wheaton Academy | West Chicago |
Poster contest
| Student | School | City | Award | |
| 1st place | Lucy Clary | St. Athanasius School | Evanston | $200 |
| 2nd place | Kimberly Gallegos | Triopia Elementary | Arenzville | $150 |
| 3rd place | Lila Moore | homeschooled | Vienna | $100 |
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