How do You Know if your Home or Building needs Radon Testing?

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Radon Testing your Home or Businessradon testing in iowa

Most homeowners know that testing for radon is essential, but aren’t sure when or how often it should be done. Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, and radioactive gas that occurs naturally from the decomposition of uranium in the soil.

If your home or business has a high enough levels of radon it may cause health issues such as wheezing, cough, lung infections, or even lung cancer. Because Iowa is known to have the highest average levels of radon in the country, it’s best to know the facts about radon testing.

If you have never had your home or business tested for radon, you should try to get a test as soon as possible. Luckily, radon tests are inexpensive. If your home or business is found to have low levels, which are not dangerous, you will only have to test every few years. If your building is found to have dangerous levels (4.0 pCi/L) we here at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa can help.

Radon Solutions for Iowa

radon testing and mitigationMitigation is a way to fix high levels of radon in a building. Radon gets trapped in homes when it enters through cracks in the foundation. A mitigation system expels radon by pushing it outside with a series of vents and fans. It also prevents high levels of radon in the future. We can also install mitigation systems in new construction, as well. This will prevent radon altogether.

Contact us here at Ameriserv today for all your radon testing and mitigation needs. Our service area covers a large part of Iowa, including Des Moines, Ankeny, Ames, and Carroll. You can also learn more about radon here.

 

Facts About the National Radon Action Plan

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What is the National Radon Action Plan?national radon action plan, radon testing and mitigation ia

Through the collaboration of a variety of groups including the American Lung Association, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Health and Human Services, Cancer Survivors Against Radon, and many others, the Radon Action Plan has been created. This plan was created to be a strategy for radon education and prevention.

Radon is a radioactive gas that is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. It is created through the decomposition of uranium that occurs naturally in the soil. The gas often seeps through cracks in your business or home’s foundation and can cause a variety of health issues if left to its own devices. The most serious of which being lung cancer. Radon is known to take the lives of 21,000 people every year. The Nation Radon Action Plan wants to drastically reduce and hopes to eliminate those numbers altogether.

Radon Risks and Prevention

Radon is known to be the second leading cause of lung cancer, right behind smoking. For nonsmokers it is the number one cause of lung cancer. In order to protect yourself and your family, your home may need regular radon testing. Radon testing is the only way to tell if your home has dangerous levels of radon gas. Testing your home for radon is cheap and easy, so there is no reason to not have it done. If your home is found to have high levels of gas, your home will likely need a radon mitigation system. This is a series of fans and vents that will rid your home of radon, therefore decreasing the levels of radon and protecting your business or home’s inhabitants from the health risks.

To learn more about the National Radon Action Plan, click here. For radon testing or radon mitigation services, you can contact us here at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa. Because Iowa is known to have the highest average levels of radon in the United States, with the majority of homes having dangerous levels, radon testing is a necessity. We can provide you with both radon testing and radon mitigation services. Contact us today for more information!

Iowa School Districts: Keep Radon On Your Radar

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Be On The Lookout For Radon In Your Home & School District

Iowa Radon Testing & MitigationAs this past January was Radon Action Month, many Iowa homeowners have tested their homes for radon and taken action against it. Not only did homeowners participate in this stand against radon, but the Keokuk Community School District decided to join in as well. In the state of Iowa, it is only required for 4 year old preschools to have radon testing done every two years, but Keokuk decided that it is equally as important to test for radon in every classroom and school facility. Your home may be the number one cause of radon exposure, but what you may not know is that school buildings are a close second. That being said, it is extremely important for Iowa school districts to be aware of radon exposure and do the best they can to protect their students.

Where Does Radon Come From?

Keep Radon Out Of Your SchoolsMost people are aware that radon is a dangerous radioactive gas that can be found trapped inside of buildings, but where does it come from? Radon’s ultimate source is uranium, which can be found in any type of rock. The radioactive decay of uranium produces radium, which then produces radon. Since radon is a gas, it is extremely more mobile than it’s parents, uranium and radium, which are contained in the solid matter of rocks and soil. This radioactive gas can escape from the soil into buildings through differences in air pressure, cracks in foundations, and permeability around basement walls. It can also be released through aerated and processed water sources, but this occurrence is less likely to happen.

Unfortunately, the presence of radon is inevitable since it comes from a natural source. This dangerous gas is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in the USA, so as you can see, it is extremely detrimental to our health and environment. Testing for radon and being aware of it’s presence is the first step that every homeowner and school district should take. Once you know what the radon levels are in your environment, you can take the next steps in removing it from your facility.

Getting Rid Of Radon

Ameriserv Radon offers radon mitigation, which ultimately removes radon from your facility. To do this, we can install a radon mitigation system that will redirect radon gas out of your home or school building. One of the solutions that we offer consists of drilling a hole in the foundation and creating a suction point. Then, a PVC pipe is installed and used as a vent for the radon gas to be eliminated. To allow air to flow in the right direction, a fan is connected to this system, which runs continuously.

Be sure to call Ameriserv Radon for all of your radon testing and mitigation needs in Bondurant, IA and surrounding areas. We are the professional team that you need to keep radon away from your school building. Call us today!

January: Radon Action Month

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Take Action Against Radon in Januaryradon testing in iowa

The governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad, has formally declared that January will become Radon Action Month. The state of Iowa is known for its high and even dangerous levels of radon in its homes and the governor wants to bring attention to it. Radon is a radioactive, odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that comes from the decomposition of uranium in the earth.

Radon enters homes through the foundation. It can seep through cracks and other small openings. High levels of radon gas in a home can eventually lead to health issues such as lung infections and even lung cancer. It is known to be the second leading cause of lung cancer, right behind smoking cigarettes. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers.

So, how do you know if your Iowa home has dangerous levels of radon gas? Radon testing is a relatively inexpensive way to know if your home’s radon levels are too high. These tests can and should be performed in homes, businesses, and schools. According to the EPA, 50% of Iowa homes have elevated radon levels. It is likely that your home has high levels of radon. The EPA has stated that any home with a 4.0 pCi/L or higher is in danger. Get your home tested today. Make sure your future is safe.

Radon Testing and Mitigation in Iowa

If you order a test and find that your home or business has a hazardous level of radon gas, radon mitigation is your best bet to get rid of it. Radon mitigation is a series of vents and fans that can be installed into your home or business to rid the space of radon gas. Ameriserv of Iowa can offer both radon testing and radon mitigation for your Iowa home. We are a business that specializes in radon. We are a skilled and experienced team of professionals, so make sure to contact us today for all your radon testing and mitigation needs. Our service area covers all of Iowa. Give us a call! We want to see all of Iowa with safe homes. Take action against radon today!

EPA Announces Radon Plan

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EPA Cracking Down on RadonEPA radon testing, mitigation, iowa

Recently, the EPA announced its collaboration with groups such as the American Lung Association and the American Association of Radon. Because radon is known to be the second leading cause of lung cancer–right behind smoking–these groups have gotten together to help reduce radon induced lung cancer deaths. Through education and radon reduction strategies, the EPA hopes to reduce radon related deaths. They are determined to prevent 3,200 deaths annually by 2020.

Radon gas is a stealthy killer; you can’t smell, taste, or see it. It also does not produce symptoms, even minor ones–such as a headache. It will only produce symptoms when it is too late. Regardless you should watch for persistent cough, wheezing, heavy breathing, and lung infections. That is why education and radon testing for homes is so important. Iowa is known to have some of the highest levels of radon in the United States. On average, the levels in most Iowa homes are above the EPA red-zone, a 4.0 pCi/L. Anything above a 4.0 is considered dangerous.

Iowa Radon Testing and Mitigationradon testing, mitigation in iowa

So, what should you do to keep you and your family safe and healthy? Regular radon testing is the first step. Contact us here at Ameriserv Radon, we can provide radon testing for your Iowa home. Radon testing is inexpensive, so it is a smart and responsible investment in your home and your family. We can also answer questions you may have about radon gas, radon testing, and radon mitigation. If you happen to find radon in your home after testing, do not panic. It can be fixed. Radon mitigation systems can be installed in your Iowa home. Radon mitigation is a way to expel the radon gas from your home. We can help determine which type of system is right for your Iowa home.

Contact us today to learn more about radon gas, radon testing, or radon mitigation. We have a team of experienced specialists who want to help educate the public on the dangers of radon. Our service area covers most of Iowa, including Carroll, Des Moines, Ames, Grinnell, and more. Ameriserv Radon is your radon expert for the state of Iowa. Give us a call today!

University of Iowa Finds Significant Amounts of Radon in Iowa Homes

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Radon Levels in Iowa Homes are Shockingly Highiowa radon levels found high in university of iowa study

The University of Iowa recently conducted research in Akron, Iowa to test radon levels in Iowa homes. The study was conducted in 2013 and published in September of 2015. Although Iowa is known to have some of the highest concentration of radon, the numbers surprised the researchers. The results showed higher levels of radon than expected. This is bad news for Iowa homeowners.

Radon is a clear, odorless, tasteless gas, and it is highly dangerous in confined spaces, such as in a home. Radon comes from the breakdown of uranium in the Earth’s crust. Iowa just happens to be where a large concentration of uranium in the Earth’s crust is. This is why Iowa is known to have higher levels of radon than other states in the country. It enters a home through small cracks in the foundation or by seeping through the concrete’s pores. Unfortunately, there isn’t much way to keep radon from entering your home. What you can do is make sure it leaves before it harms anyone in your home.

Ameriserv can Help Keep your Iowa Radon Levels Low

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in humans. Cigarette smoke is the first. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. Most American homes have a harmless small amount of radon, but when you have levels that reach 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) that can lead to health concerns. Some Iowa homes that were tested were 10 to 20 times that level. One even 30 times that. In fact, 4 out of 5 homes tested were over the EPA recommended level of 4 pCi/L. Obviously, it is not something you want in your home. If radon is left alone it can lead to harmful heath issues in time. That is why having regular radon testing and a radon mitigation system installed in your Iowa home is the safest, most responsible choice for Iowa homeowners.

Testing for radon is cheap and easy and can help you determine if your home is safe for its inhabitants. Testing once in the cold season and once in the warm season is a good way to start. From there, testing once or twice every couple of years will keep you informed. If you find dangerous levels of radon in your home, you must consider a radon mitigation system. This is a series of vents and fans that will push the radon outside your home where it becomes harmless because it is no longer in a confined space. Unfortunately, a radon mitigation system is relatively expensive. Considering though that high radon levels can lead to lung cancer, it is worth the cost.

Contact us here at Ameriserv Radon today. We can help you with radon testing and installation of radon mitigation systems. We offer services across Iowa. To learn more about radon click here. We look forward to working with you, so give us a call today!

Raising Radon Awareness in Iowa

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It’s Radon Awareness Week!

radon awareness in IowaOctober 19th and 25th is Radon Awareness Week and it has never been more important. Homeowners everywhere need to be made aware of this very harmful gas, especially in Iowa. Iowa has radon levels well above the national average. It’s our goal to make all homeowners in the state of Iowa aware of the dangers of radon, and also let them know there are tests and solutions for their radon problems.

Did you know that radon affects as many as one in fifteen homes in the United States? (www.radonweek.org) Most people that have elevated levels in their home have absolutely no idea that it is a problem. It is also believed that radon is the second leading cause of cancer in the United States, only being beaten out for number one by smoking. That means that radon can kill you, but it is also something you can prevent easily if you know the facts. That is why Radon Awareness Week is a big deal.

Radon Testing: A Must in Iowa

Radon has no smell, and no immediate symptoms of radon exposure will appear. That is why it is critical to have your Iowa home tested for radon levels. Radon is odorless, colorless, and can enter your home from the soil underneath the foundation. As an expert in radon, Ameriserv can provide you with a radon test of your Iowa home. We are certified professionals that can provide you with testing, but also with a solution. Radon mitigation moves radon up and out of your home safely. Installing a radon mitigation system can keep your family safe. Even in new construction homes in Iowa, radon can be a problem. Don’t wait, get a test, find a solution, play it safe. For more information on Radon Awareness Week or Radon Mitigation, contact the team at Amerserv Radon.

Does Radon Risk Get Worse in Winter?

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Radon Levels During Iowa Winters

During the wintertime, many people become more concerned about silent killers like carbon monoxide in their homes. However, there is another invisible gas you may not know about that can be just as dangerous to you and your family. This is radon, the odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer, killing about 400 Iowans every year. This danger is especially prominent in the wintertime in your Iowa home.

How does radon enter your home? Normally, this gas decays from uranium in the soil and seeps upwards into your home through foundation cracks. The gas can also enter your home through well-water or other sources. So why is radon a bigger deal in the winter months?

  • Iowa Radon Risk in WinterLess Ventilation: Because all of the windows and doors are kept closed during the wintertime, there is less opportunity for radon to escape. Instead, it builds up in the home.
  • Greater Stack-Effect: The stack-effect is what occurs when the warmer air in the home rises and escapes out of the top – through the attic, chimney, etc. As this warmer air exits the home, radon- heavy air from the soil below rises to replace it.
  • Warm Soil Under Home: Radon cannot easily rise through frozen ground. During the wintertime, the radon will instead rise through the warmer ground under your foundation and seep through cracks into your home.

These are a few reasons that it is good to be aware of the dangers of elevated radon levels during the winter months and to have your home tested.

How to Protect Your Home from Iowa Winter Radon Levels

Because those living in your home could suffer significant adverse health effects from prolonged radon exposure, it is important to have your home tested. If you are concerned about the Iowa radon risk during the wintertime in your home, have a short-term or long-term radon test done by the expert team at Ameriserv today.

Winter Iowa Radon Risk ReductionIf you do find that your home has higher than average levels of radon, it is important to have the problem taken care of as soon as possible. Ameriserv offers professional radon mitigation services that can help to significantly reduce the levels of radon gas in your Iowa home.

The radon mitigation system can consist of a hole in the foundation with a suction point on top and a PVC pipe system. The PVC is connected to the suction point, which pulls radon out of the ground and then carries the gas to a vent, where it can exit the home. A fan is then attached to make sure that the air moves in the right direction.

Contact us right away to learn about these and more radon solutions to reduce the Iowa radon risk in your home.