Pat Quinn, Governor
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Pat Quinn, Governor |
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Test results from 118,477 homes find more than 40 percent With high radon levels SPRINGFIELD - Radon tests from 118,447 homes across Illinois found more than 41 percent had radon levels above the recommended level for taking action. Information on tests conducted by professional radon measurement contractors from 2003 - 2011 is now readily available on the Illinois Emergency Management Agency's (IEMA) radon website (www.radon.illinois.gov).
Contests promote awareness of radioactive gas linked to lung cancer 
SPRINGFIELD – Students from across the state recently put their creative talents to work to help spread the message about the hazards of radioactive radon gas. More than 700 posters and 224 one-minute YouTube videos were submitted to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the American Lung Association in Illinois (ALA-IL) for consideration in the agencies’ annual contests. “The students who created these posters and videos are incredibly creative,” said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. “They took a very serious topic, the hazards of radon, and presented it in fun, innovative ways.”
New Law Requires Radon Testing in Day Care Centers 
SPRINGFIELD - Parents of children in day care will be better informed about levels of radon in their child's facility under a new law that took effect Jan. 1, 2013. Licensed day care centers and day care homes are now required to test for the radioactive gas, and beginning Jan. 1, 2014, day care centers will need to show proof the facility has been tested for radon within the last three years as part of the initial application or license renewal process.
IEMA and American Lung Association Announce Student Winners in Video, Poster Contests Students from across the state recently put their creative talents to work to help spread the message about the hazards of radioactive radon gas. More than 440 posters and 94 one-minute YouTube videos were submitted to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the American Illinois Lung Association in of Illinois (ALA-IL) for consideration in the agencies' annual contests. Poster Winners
Video Winners
Honorable Mentions
New Law to Help Renters Learn More About Radon Levels in Their Homes
Radon is Second-Leading Cause of Lung Cancer
A new law set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2012, will help people who rent apartments, condominiums or houses access information about radon levels in their homes. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency's (IEMA) radon program is offering guidance to help renters better understand radon hazards and their rights under this new law.
A $38,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be used to help 50 Illinois school districts screen school buildings for the radioactive gas radon. IEMA announced the screening program on Jan. 4 as it kicked off a statewide observance of Radon Action Month during January. Read press release. School Radon Screening Program
The Radon Measurement Course for School Districts Electing to Perform Radon Measurements is available for downloading. After completing the Radon Measurement course, district employees must demonostrate their knowledge of the course work by passing an online examination. After sucessfully passing the online exam a certificate will be emailed to the employee. School districts interested in participating in the grant program recently awarded to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the American Lung Association of Illinois may register by contacting Patrick Daniels. The grant program will be available to the first 50 Illinois school districts to register with the Agency by email. Please include your District contact information in your correspondence. Radon Measurement Course for School Districts Electing to Perform Radon Measurements Radon Measurement Online Exam for School Districts Electing to Perform Radon Measurements
Whether you are a teacher, instructor or health educator, this power point presentation has been compiled to aide you in teaching your students or audience about radon gas. The intention of these slides is not to be used as one large presentation but for you to pick and choose which ones you would like to use when helping educate your students about the risks of radon gas.
Radon is an indoor air pollutant that can easily be incorporated into lessons whether for general science, health, biology, chemistry or environmental science. This colorless, odorless, radioactive gas is the first leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. The US Surgeon General shares, "Indoor radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country." This information can be helpful for teachers conveying the risks of radon to students entering the radon video or radon poster contest. Check out the rest of our website for more information about radon.
Looking for a low cost Radon Test Kit?
For radon information by telephone call (800) 325-1245 (Information Line) or to speak to an IEMA Radon Program staff member call (217) 782-1325.
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