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Guthrie County Iowa radon testing and mitigation

Why Radon Shouldn’t Be Ignored

Why Radon Shouldn’t Be Ignored

It’s difficult to understand how something we can’t see or smell can pose such a risk to our health. What’s truly scary is realizing just how harmful to our health it can be, and unlike carbon monoxide, has no immediate symptoms of exposure. Yet, most of us have at least 1 carbon monoxide detector in our homes while not giving radon detection a second thought.

Radon is the number 1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. According to the EPA, nearly 1 in 3 homes in a seven-state region had screening levels over 4 pCi/L, the EPA’s recommended action level for radon exposure. Seven out of ten homes in Iowa have high radon levels and approximately 400 Iowans die each year from exposure to this naturally produced gas. Some scientific studies are now showing children may be even more sensitive to radon due to their higher respiration rate and their rapidly dividing cells. More and more families are also making their basements primary living spaces and bedrooms for their children.

The primary routes of potential human exposure are inhalation and ingestion. Radon in the ground, groundwater or building materials introduced to working and living spaces and disintegrates into its decay products. Inhalation exposure is typically more likely and more important than ingestion.

Dr. Peter Sandman, a risk communication expert, writes that Risk = Hazard + Outrage. With very little, if any, outrage over radon exposure our human nature perceives it as less of a risk. After all, it’s a naturally occurring gas so there’s no one to be angry with. Lack of outrage translates to lack of action.

Let’s flip things around a bit. What if your place of employment, your children’s daycare or school didn’t do radon testing. Or worse, what if they tested, levels were high and they didn’t disclose it. You’d be outraged…you’d demand ACTION. The risk would feel HUGE.

Radon mitigation or the process of “fixing” a home that has elevated radon levels is comparable to other minor home repairs and it’s invaluable simply for the peace-of-mind knowing you’re not exposing yourself or your family to this harmful radioactive gas.

Ten Myths about Radon

Ten Myths about Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs nRadon Testing Iowa, Radon Mitigation Iowa, Myths about Radonaturally in the soil and often leaks into lower levels of homes. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, behind smoking, and leads to 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually. Because you aren’t able to see, smell or taste radon gas, it’s important to test the air in your home and fix any problems you find. Many people don’t believe their home is in area with radon, one of the common myths about radon.

EPA’s Common Myths about Radon

Recently the EPA has reported ten common myths people have about radon, which follow.

1. Myth: Scientists are not sure that radon really is a problem.

Fact: While scientists are not certain of the exact number of deaths due to radon, the major health organizations, including the Center for Disease Control (CDC), American Medical Association (AMA), and American Lung Association all agree that radon causes thousands of otherwise preventable lung cancer deaths annually, especially among smokers.

2. Myth: Radon testing is difficult and expensive.

Fact: Testing for radon is easy and inexpensive, either by testing your home yourself or hiring a qualified radon testing professional. It has been shown that long-term testing kits, for at least 90 days, are more accurate than short-term kits.

3. Myth: It is impossible to fix a home with radon problems.

Fact: Many homes have already been successfully fixed. The cost radon problems can be fixed by qualified radon mitigation contracts for about the same cost as other home repairs.

4. Myth: Radon affects only certain types of homes.

Fact: Radon can affect any type of home: old or new, drafty or insulated, and with or without basements. The primary factors that affect radon levels in homes are local soils, construction materials, and building methods.

5. Myth: Radon occurs in only certain areas of the country.

Fact: Radon levels do tend to be higher in certain areas, but they have occurred in all 50 states. The only way to be certain your house does not contain radon is to test it.

6. Myth: If my neighbor has/doesn’t have radon, it must be the same for me.

Fact: This is not true. Radon levels do vary greatly between homes. The only way to be sure your home does not have a radon problem is to test it.

7. Myth: Everyone should also test their water for radon.

Fact: Radon can get into homes through ground water, but it is most important to test the air first. While radon gets into some homes through water, it is important to first test the air in the home for radon. If your water comes from a public water supply that uses ground water, call your water supplier. If high radon levels are found and the home has a private well, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 for information on testing your water.

8. Myth: Selling a home with radon problems is difficult.

Fact: As long as the radon problems have been fixed, there is no problem selling a home. As a matter of fact, the added protection could be turned into a selling point.

9. Myth: It doesn’t make sense to check my home for radon because I’ve already lived here a long time.

Fact: Even if you’ve lived with an elevated radon level for many years, correcting it now will still reduce your risk for lung cancer.

10. Myth: Short-term tests don’t help determine whether or not to correct radon problems.

Fact: Short-term tests can be used to determine whether or not to reduce a high radon levels. If the short-term test result is close to pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter), it is difficult to determine whether the radon level is above or below that average throughout the years. Ideally, the level should be 2 pCi/L or lower to be safe.

For more information, refer to the EPA’s A Citizen’s Guide to Radon.

What If My Home Needs Radon Testing or Repair?

If you’ve tested your home and had a high radon level or want a professional in radon mitigation to test and/or repair your radon problems, contact the experts at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa.

Don’t put you and your family at an unnecessary risk for lung cancer!

FRAP Scorecard

EPA Works to Reduce Radon Levels

In 2011 the federal government started a program to track the progress of the EPA and its partners. Their goal was to reduce radon levels in American homes across the nation. The Federal Radon Action Plan (FRAP) Scorecard was created to track which goals have been completed by February of 2016. Many of these goals included educating the public about the dangers of radon, especially in high risk areas such as Iowa. The EPA and its partners also worked with schools, daycare facilities, hospitals, and other public buildings to test for radon and mitigate if necessary.

frap scorecard iowaAs of February 2016 the Scorecard has been posted with the final results. The majority of their goals were completed. Each of these goals will help reduce radon levels in America and decrease future issues. The end goal is to completely erase radon gas levels, and the EPA is working furiously towards that goal.

The New Plan – National Radon Action Plan

The updated program (NRAP) aims to reduce radon in five million American homes and save 3,200 lives annually in the process. By 2020 they want to have this plan completely implemented. The EPA is partnering with the American Lung Association to fight avoidable lung cancer cases caused by radon.

Ameriserv wants to help fight high radon gas levels in America. We offer radon testing and radon mitigation services to Iowa homes and businesses. Contact us today to learn more about radon and what you can do to fight back, too. Not only will you be protecting yourself from the harms of radon gas, you will be helping the future generations. Give us a call!

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

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?

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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.