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If Having Children in the Home doesn’t Motivate Radon Testing, What Will?

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If Having Children in the Home doesn’t Motivate Radon Testing, What Will?

The Dangers of Radon Gas

If your child was in danger and you could remove that danger in order to protect them, would you? A study found that some parents may not, especially in the case of radon. It has been found that many homes have or will fall victim to radon gas. Radon is a radioactive gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers–this includes children. It is the second leading cause for smokers. The study conducted radon and secondhand smoke tests in 550 homes. At the same time, parents were asked if they were concerned about the long term affects of radon gas or secondhand smoke on their children. The study found that “having children present in the home [didn’t] appear to impact parents’ lung cancer worry.”

Spreading Radon Awareness

radon educationSo, how can we get people to understand the very real danger of radon? We believe that awareness and education could be a step in the right direction. Many people do not even know what radon is or what it can cause. Radon is a gas that is created through the natural breakdown of uranium in the earth. It rises through the soil and into homes through small basement or foundation cracks.

When radon is outside in the air it is virtually harmless, but in a small, enclosed space such as a home, it can lead to a variety of health problems. This includes wheezing, coughing, lung infections, and even lung cancer. Luckily, radon gas must be present for a long time to cause these issues, so that is why it is so important to regularly have your home tested for radon gas. Contact us today to learn more about radon testing and radon mitigation–the solution for high levels of radon in your home.

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!

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!

Radon in Your Home? Don’t Panic! We know what to do.

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How To Test Your Home For Radon

If you are concerned about high radon levels in your home, here’s what you can do.Radon testing Carroll Iowa

First of all, don’t panic! Although radon is dangerous, it is very easy to get rid of. You can do at-home testing as well as hire a professional to take care of it for you. Radon is found in most Iowa homes. It is everywhere, you can’t avoid it, but you can get rid of it over time.

Here is how to test your home for radon. You can start with a do-it-yourself test. You can purchase a radon test kit from almost any hardware store or your local health department. It is wise to perform multiple tests as one test may not be accurate. Radon levels tend to fluctuate, so you may want to do more than one test over a period of time to find the average radon level in your home.

If your first test comes back with levels between 4 and 8 pCi/L, you should immediately follow up with another test. If you need quick results, a short term test can take 2-7 days. Long term tests can take from 3 months to a year, which will give you the most accurate results if you are willing to wait that long. The higher your levels, the sooner you should test again. You can also have a professional inspector come in and test the radon levels in your home.

After you have tested for radon various times and have a good average number of the radon levels in your home, it’s time to get it properly treated. You will want to hire a professional, well-trained, and licensed mitigation contractor to remove radon from your home. If you are on a budget and a true “do-it-yourselfer”, there are resources online published by professionals that you can use. If this interests you, check out Infeltec INC.

Inspect for Radon Before Selling Your Home

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Selling Your Home & Inspecting for Radon

Radon is a colorless and odorless deadly gas that is attributed to be the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. This deadly substance has made its way into more than half of the homes in Iowa, although many homeowners may be unaware of its inconspicuous entrance. It is accountable for 20,000 to 25,000 deaths per year in the United States, and can cause physical and mental issues in the development of infants and young children. Not only is radon extremely hazardous to you and your family’s health, but it can may influence your potential to sell your home.

Researchers on this radioactive gas have noticed that it can be found in new and old homes alike. Whether your home has insulation or not, a basement or not, it is still prone to radon entrance. Sometimes, there are extremely high levels of radon in a new home, but none found in an old one. So as you can see, the age of your home does not affect the radon level. Rather, it is completely dependent on the soil underneath your home. Radon occurs naturally when uranium is broken down in the soil, and then enters through any cracks or openings in your foundation. If the inside of your home has a lower air pressure than the soil outside, your home will be more apt to take in radon. Radon can also be released in water through your sink or shower, though this is not as high of a risk as when it comes through the soil. Rarely, your granite or concrete can give off radon.

Will High Radon Levels Influence Potential Buyers?

Selling your home and radon detection

When it comes to real estate, it is important to inspect for radon before selling your home. Potential buyers in Iowa should be aware that radon is a major current issue in most homes. Make sure there is a mutual understanding between you and your potential buyer about how radon levels will be taken care of.

Depending on your state’s disclosure laws, you may be required to include your home’s radon levels in your sale disclosure. If you have not had your home tested for radon, and levels come up high in the home inspection, your potential buyers may have the right to cancel if they are not satisfied with the results. In this case, in order to save the deal, you may have to pay for the radon to be removed or make a mutual agreement with your potential buyer on splitting the difference. If your potential buyers walk away from the contract, you will be obligated to include radon levels in your next sale disclosure, which may turn away other potential buyers.

Fortunately, it isn’t very challenging to get rid of high radon levels, although it may be expensive. Typically, it will cost 1,000 to 2,000 to have radon removal equipment installed by a professional. It may be wise to take care of radon levels in your home and include what you spent in your asking price before listing your home. A home that is radon-clear will be very attractive to a potential buyer and can allow for a smoother process.

How to Test Your Iowa Home for Radon

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How does a Radon test Work?

Since radon is an odorless and colorless gas, many people who have it in their homes may not realize it. Radon is extremely harmful, and it is suggested by the US Environmental Protection Agency as well as the US Surgeon General that every home in America be tested for radon, below the third level.

Short Term & Long Term Tests

The quickest and easiest way to test your home for radon is through a short term test. Some of the most common tests are called: Charcoal canisters, alpha tracks, electret ion chambers, continuous monitors, and charcoal liquid scintillation detectors. The only downside of short-term tests is that you cannot accurately detect the average radon level in your home throughout the year, but it works well if you need fast results to get an idea of whether your home may have a radon problem or not.

While short-term tests usually last a few days to a couple of months, long-term tests will take more than three months to complete. Alpha tracks and electret ion chambers are the most frequently used long-term tests. It is recommended by the EPA to first take a short-term radon test, and follow up with a long-term test if radon levels showed to be high.homeradon

In preparation for a radon test, you should keep your exterior doors and windows closed twelve hours beforehand. Choose a room to conduct the test in, one that is regularly used by you and your household, but not the bathroom or the kitchen. Find a place about 20 inches above the ground where you can keep the radon test kit for the instructed period of time without it being moved or disturbed. When the allotted time is over, seal your radon kit and send it to the lab. You can expect your results to return to you in a couple of weeks.

To learn how Ameriserv can help you test your home for radon, click here.

Can Cold Weather Increase your Radon Risk?

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Winter is coming, and that means lots of cold weather. The season of snow and ice may actually cause your Iowa home, business, or school to have higher radon risks than it may have had in the warmer months.

Don’t know what radon is or why it is dangerous? Well, here is a quick summary of radon and why it is dangerous to your health. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is naturally occurring. It can only be detected by a radon test. It is radioactive and can attach itself to many surfaces, including dust particles. These dust particles can be easily inhaled and may, in some cases, cause lung cancer, along with a variety of other breathing problems. Some signs that you have been exposed to radon include:Radon Testing Lake City IA, Radon Mitigation Lake City Iowa

  • Persistent cough
  • Wheezing
  • Heavy breathing
  • Lung infections

Unfortunately, radon may not take effect in you until years or even decades after you have been exposed, which means that even if you have these symptoms, it does not mean that your current home, business, or school has high levels of radon. You could have been affected years ago without knowing it. This makes radon gas that much harder to detect.

Iowa is known for its high levels of radon risks. A long time ago there were glaciers that covered Iowa which melted leaving behind rocks that contained uranium. When these rocks broke down and decayed over time they released the radon gas. These gases are now affecting your Iowa homes, businesses, and schools. If not taken care of, it could seriously harm you and your family, customers, or students and staff. Ameriserv can help you detect radon with radon tests.

Radon Testing and Mitigation in Iowa by Ameriserv

Interestingly enough, cold winter weather may actually aggravate the radon levels in your Iowa home, business, or school. Because the air outside is colder than the air inside your home, business, or school, radon levels may become higher. The temperature difference is what causes the higher levels of radon. Luckily, Ameriserv can help you. Especially during the winter months, it is smart to get regular radon tests for your home, business, or school. Do not let the higher radon risks take advantage of you. If high levels of radon are found, we here at Ameriserv can provide you with radon mitigation services.

We can help you choose which system of radon mitigation is right for your specific structure and situation. Contact Ameriserv today to learn more about radon testing in Iowa, radon risks, radon mitigation, or our service area. We want to help you feel safe in your home, so make sure to get regular radon tests. You can not ignore radon. Just because it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless does not mean that it is not there. Contact us today!

The Real Cost of Radon vs. The Cost of Radon Mitigation

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The Dangers of Radon Outweigh the Cost of Radon Mitigation

No one wants to spend money on things like radon mitigation. Most people would rather buy a movie, a new phone, a TV, or just go out to dinner. Unfortunately, you need to think twice before ignoring radon and radon mitigation. You have probably heard of radon and its dangers. If you have not here are a few facts about radon. Radon is:

Radon Testing Gurtherie Center IA, Radon Mitigation Gutherie Iowa

  • Radioactive
  • Colorless
  • Odorless
  • Tasteless
  • Naturally occurring
  • Easily inhaled

Basically, it is a dangerous gas that can not be detected except by radon testing. Radon appears when when the chemicals uranium and thorium, which reside in the earth, begin to decay. It is a gas that sticks to dust particles and other surfaces, sometimes radon can even affect your home’s water supply. It has been known to cause lung cancer if it goes unchecked in your home, business, or school. In fact, there are 21,000 deaths per year in the USA due to radon-induced lung cancers. That is a scary thought. Radon may not even effect you until years, or even decades, after you are exposed. Some signs of radon exposure are:

  • Persistent cough
  • Wheezing
  • Heavy breathing
  • Lung infections

What is even scarier is that Iowa is known to have naturally high levels of radon. This is because a long time ago there were glaciers that covered Iowa. They melted and left behind rocks that contained uranium and when they broke down and decayed they released the radon gas. If radon occurs in your home, business, or school, it could harm your family, customers, or students and staff. This is why you should consider getting your Iowa home, business, or school tested for the presence of radon. Luckily, Ameriserv can help you get radon testing and mitigation for your Iowa home.

Get Radon Mitigation in Iowa by Ameriserv

By getting regular radon testing you will be able to keep almost constant tabs on your home, business, or school’s radon levels. Radon tests will tell you whether or not the radon levels are dangerous. While any radon is not exactly safe, a level of 4 pCi/L is considered dangerous to the health of a building’s inhabitants. If your radon levels are at 4 pCi/L or higher you will need to receive radon mitigation.

Radon mitigation is a process that removes the radon from your home, business, or school and releases to the outside air where it will no longer pose a danger to you, your family, customers, or students and staff. The actual radon mitigation system is installed into your home, business, or school. There are a few different options, and we can help you, by doing a radon test, pick which option will be best for your structure.

Come to Ameriserv today to get a radon test, and if needed to get radon mitigation. Remember that radon is not something to be ignored. It may be tasteless, odorless, and colorless, but that does not mean it is not there. Radon can seriously harm a person’s health, especially if it goes unchecked. So, get radon testing today, because it is the best way to prevent radon in your home, business, or school. Call Ameriserv today to learn more about our radon tests, radon mitigation, radon mitigation costs in Iowa, or our service area. Contact us today!

The Costs and Benefits of Radon Test in Iowa

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Radon Testing Can Save you Something More Important than Money – It Can Save Your Life.

You may think that getting radon testing done in your Iowa home, business, church, or school will be expensive, but this is not necessarily true. We here at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa offer long-term tests, short-term tests, and radon kits.

Long-term tests stay in your home for about 90 days. These tests are administered by our professionals. These tests give an accurate representation of what your home’s radon gas levels are year-round.

Radon testing costs and benefits in Iowa

Short-term tests stay in your home anywhere from 2 to 90 days (depending on the specific device). These tests are also administered by our professionals. These give a result that represents the levels during that time. Radon gas levels may fluctuate throughout the year, and from season to season.

If it is found that your home has higher radon gas levels than the allowable 4.0 pCi/L after taking a short-term test, it is likely that you will have to take another short-term test, or a long-term test, just to be sure.

The last type of testing is a radon kit. These are tests that are administered by you. They are the cheapest, and one of the quickest ways to test for radon gas levels in your home, business, church, or school. We here at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa offer these radon kits for only $15.00!

Radon tests are the best way to know if your Iowa home, business, church, or school is falling victim to high radon gas levels. Radon gas is a dangerous gas that can not be seen, smelled, heard, or tasted. Because of this, the only way to tell if you are being affected by it is through regular testing.

Radon gas is dangerous because it can cause serious health problems such as lung cancer. In fact, on average about 400 Iowan deaths a year are caused by lung cancer due to high radon gas levels. So, getting a simple radon test could save your life. Paying a little money, and taking a little bit of your time could save your life, so do not wait!

The Side Effects of Radon

The entire state of Iowa is in “Zone 1” which basically means that all of Iowa is likely to have elevated levels of radon gas. In fact, about 5 out of 7 Iowa homes are likely to have high levels of radon gas. Because of this, radon testing in your Iowa homes, businesses, churches, and schools is even more important. Some ways to tell if you could be experiencing the side effects of radon gas include:

  • Persistent cough
  • Wheezing
  • Heavy breathing
  • Lung infections

These are also early signs of lung cancer, so if you experience these health problems, make sure to consult your doctor immediately, and get your home tested by us here at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa. If we test your home and your results come back as high levels of radon gas, we offer a mitigation service to install mitigation systems.

To learn more about our radon testing or mitigation services, our service area, or to schedule a radon test, give Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa a call! We want to help you feel safe and healthy in your Iowa home. Contact us today!