Category Archives: Radon Levels

New Construction Requires Radon Mitigation Systems in Iowa

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A new bill is in the works in Iowa that would make it mandatory for radon mitigation systems to be pre-installed in new construction homes. Iowa is known to have some of the highest average radon levels in the United States, so this bill would help lower radon poisoning across the state. If it goes unchecked, radon can lead to a variety of health problems. Radon gas is known to be the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

So how does radon gas get into your home? Well, radon gas is a naturally occurring gas that travels up through the earth and through foundation cracks where it gets trapped in your home. Unfortunately, radon is a colorless and odorless gas, so it can not be detected through sight or smell. Radon testing is the only way to tell. AmeriServ does offer a variety of radon testing options to help you quickly and accurately identify if you have radon gas in your home.

Radon Mitigation in Iowa’s New Construction

If it is found that your home contains radon gas, the best way to rid your home is through radon mitigation, which is a system of vents and pipes that expels radon gas. With this bill, a radon mitigation system will be mandatory in all new construction. If the homeowner believes there is radon gas, or gets a positive test for radon, all they would have to do is turn the system on, making radon much less of a threat in these Iowa homes.

If you are in need of a radon mitigation system for your new construction home, or in your existing home, make sure to call AmeriServ. We also offer radon testing for a quick and accurate result. Don’t let radon ruin your life, get regular radon tests, and come to AmeriServ for all your new construction radon mitigation needs. Our service area covers a large part of Iowa. Contact us today to learn more!

How to Protect Your Family from Radon in Iowa

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Protecting Your Iowa Home from Radon

If you live in Iowa, you have probably heard a little bit about the dangers of radon gas. What exactly is radon? It is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that forms naturally as a result of the decay of uranium in the soil. The reason that radon is so dangerous is that it is carcinogenic, meaning that it can cause cancer, and it is so hard to notice and control. This making radon one of the leading causes of lung cancer, second 0nly to smoking. Fortunately, there are a lot of things that you can do to keep radon out of your home and away from your family.

Radon Protection for Your Iowa Home from Ameriserv

The first step in radon protection is to examine various ways that radon could enter your home. Normally, radon enters homes through the soil below the foundation. It can seep through any foundation cracks that may be present in your home, through gaps near pipes and wires, through sum pits, or through construction joints. Although most radon enters through the foundations, some radon could enter through your water. If you have well water, there is a chance that radon could seep into the water and later re-evaporate in you home through the use of water.

This is why it is important to make sure that any foundation cracks in your home are taken care of and to consult a radon mitigation expert to check for radon in your water.

Testing and Mitigation to Protect Your Iowa Home from Radon

Here at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa, we offer a couple of different options to test your home for radon. These options include:

  • DIY Radon Tests: These can be purchased for $15, and can be done in around 48-96 hours to get an idea of radon levels.
  • Short Term Radon Tests: This test takes around 2-7 days and can measure radon levels in your home over a short time.
  • Long Term Radon Tests: These tests normally take over 90 days, and give an accurate idea of average radon levels.

Radon Prevention and Protection Services in IowaOnce you have tested your home for radon, what do you do with the test results? If the tests show that the radon level is below 4.0 pCi/L, you can perform a long term test to be sure, or you can test again in a few years. Radon levels from 4.0 pCi/L are considered dangerous, and another test should be administered right away. If the average of these two tests is above 4.0 pCi/L, consider investing in radon mitigation. Any radon test results showing a level of 8.0 pCi/L or greater should be followed by a second test, and, if the second test is consistent with the first, radon mitigation should be performed immediately.

If you are concerned about the high level of radon from your test results, call Ameriserv Radon Mitigation today to install a professional radon mitigation system. Usually, the mitigation system will consist of a pipe connected to the basement floor to vent out radon, and a fan that helps the radon travel up the pipe and out of the home. This can greatly reduce the amount of radon that is allowed to enter your home through the foundation.

For more information on radon levels and what to do to prevent radon exposure in your home, contact Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa right away.

What is the Radon Risk in Iowa?

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The Risks of Radon Exposure in Iowa

Most people are aware that radon exposure is dangerous and should be avoided whenever possible. But many people also do not realize just how high the risk of radon exposure is in their homes. For people who live in Iowa, it is very common to find elevated levels of radon within their home. Because radon is undetectable to the human senses (it is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas), it is important to have your home tested for radon to determine whether or not it contains dangerously high levels of the radioactive, carcinogenic gas. Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa has several different radon testing options for use in your Iowa home.

Iowa Radon Risk for Your Home and Solutions from AmeriservWhy should you test your Iowa home for radon? The USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) considers indoor radon levels at or below 4.0 pCi/L to be safe. Keeping radon below this level reduces the chances of developing lung cancer due to radon exposure. Lung cancer related to radon exposure is a serious risk in the United States: 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year are the result of radon. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking. This is why it is important to make sure the radon levels in your home are not dangerously or unusually high.

Iowa Radon Risk and What to do About it

What is the risk that your Iowa home has a radon problem? Some statistics that shed light on radon in Iowa are listed below:

  • Iowa is a Red Zone: The entire state of Iowa is in Zone 1, the red zone. This means that the state has a high potential to have elevated radon levels.
  • Iowa Average is 8.5 pCi/L: The average radon concentration in homes in Iowa is 8.5 pCi/L. This is over twice as much as the recommended maximum safe level and is over six times the national average for the same measure.
  • More Iowa Homes have Radon: The percentage of homes in Iowa that have radon levels over 4.0 pCi/L and also of homes that have radon levels over 20.0 pCi/L is higher than any other state.
  • Radon is Prominent in Iowa Homes: Five out of any seven homes in in Iowa contain elevated radon levels, according to the Iowa Public Health Department (IDPH).
  • Four Hundred Radon Deaths Per Year: Every year, around 400 people in Iowa die from lung cancer that was the result of prolonged or severe radon exposure.

These are some of the risks of radon in Iowa homes that can be reduced by testing for radon and installing a radon mitigation system. This system will help to keep radon levels lower by collecting the radon and releasing it outside the home before it can build up inside.

If you are worried about the Iowa Radon Risk in your home, contact the professionals at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation as soon as possible.

Radon: Environmental Carcinogen

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Radon as an Environmental Carcinogen in Iowa

Carcinogens are defined as any substance that is directly related to causing cancer. There are a number of different types of carcinogens that work on the body in various ways to cause cancer. Many of these substances are radioactive, but a carcinogen does not have to be radioactive to cause cancer. Most people think of carcinogens as man-made materials and chemicals, but certain carcinogens exist naturally. In order to best protect yourself from the risk of developing cancer, it is important to be aware of the most common carcinogens in your area, and to take the necessary steps to avoid them. If you live in Iowa, one of the carcinogens that you need to be concerned about is radon.

Radon is a radioactive gas, a carcinogen, that occurs naturally as part of the decaying process of uranium. Most often, radon is produced by decaying uranium in the soil, where it seeps up into the air and enters your home. If you breathe too much of this gas over time, it can increase your chances of developing lung cancer.

Environmental Carcinogen Radon in Your Iowa HomeThe properties of radon make it very difficult to detect:

  • Colorless
  • Odorless
  • Tasteless
  • Very Dense
  • Chemically Unreactive

These characteristics make radon undetectable by the human senses. The best way to check for a radon problem in your home is to invest in radon testing and mitigation services from a professional mitigation company. The team at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa can help you ensure that the radon levels in your home are not at an unsafe level.

Testing for Radon in Your Iowa Home

It is important to the health of you and your family that you test your home for radon and invest in mitigation services to reduce the radon levels if they are too high. In the United States, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind only tobacco. In the state of Iowa alone, lung cancer caused by radon exposure kills over 400 people every year: five out of every seven homes in the state have elevated radon levels. So how do you protect yourself from this invisible, undetectable carcinogen?

Testing for the Carcinogen Radon in Iowa Homes from Ameriserv

The best way to ensure you and your family are not exposed to radon is to have your home tested for radon. Radon Testing in Iowa can determine the level of radon in your home and help you decide whether or not you need to investigate mitigation methods to get rid of the gas. Here at Ameriserv, we offer a couple of different testing options – short-term tests, long-term tests, and even DIY radon-testing kits. If your home has a radon level of higher than 4.0 pCi/L, it is time to get professional help.

Contact the radon mitigation and testing team at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation as soon as possible. We are committed to keeping Iowans safe from this harmful environmental carcinogen.

What Radon Exposure Can Mean in Iowa

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Iowa Radon Exposure Risks

The first step in protecting yourself and your family against the dangers of radon exposure is learning about radon – what it is, why it is dangerous, how to avoid exposure, etc. Radon levels in Iowa are especially high. That is why it is vital for you to check your home for signs of elevated radon levels and have any issues taken care of as soon as possible. Contact Ameriserv Radon Mitigation for professional assistance in these areas.

Radon Exposure in Iowa HomesWhat is radon, and why is it dangerous? Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that comes from the decaying or uranium in the earth. When the uranium decays, lead and radon gas are formed. The radon gas travels up through the ground and into the air around or in your home. Eventually, the radon will decay into radioactive particles that can make their way into your lungs. The breaking down of these particles results in small energy bursts that cause lung tissue to become damaged and may even lead to lung cancer over time. Second only to smoking, radon exposure is one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the United States. To keep you and your family safe from radon, it is important to have your home tested and to invest in radon mitigation services to remove harmful radon gas from your home.

Dangers of Radon Exposure in Iowa Homes

Facts about radon gas and the dangers of radon exposure in Iowa homes include:

  • Children reported to be at greater risk for some radiation-source cancers
  • Five out of seven homes in Iowa have elevated radon levels
  • 400 Iowans die of radon exposure every year
  • Radon exposure combined with smoking pose significant threat
  • Testing and mitigation can reduce chances of radon exposure

Several studies have been conducted in Iowa showing the high levels of radon in the state lead to health problems. These studies have also revealed that 60% of the radon levels in homes studied were above the amount considered to be safe.

Ameriserv offers both short term and long term radon testing to prevent radon exposure in Iowa. Short term testing is a good way to determine whether or not you need to take further action. If elevated levels are found with the short term test, it is a good idea to administer a long term test to be sure. If it is found that your home does have high radon levels, invest in radon mitigation from Ameriserv. This will remove radon gas from your home using a PVC pipe and fan system connected to a suction point in the slab of your home’s foundation.

To learn more about radon exposure in Iowa, contact Ameriserv and look around our website.

Radon and Cancer: What Iowa Residents Need to Know

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Dangers of Radon Exposure in Iowa Homes

By now, many people are aware that there is a strong link between radon exposure and cancer. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, affecting more than 15,000 people each year. If you live in Iowa, your chances of dying from radon exposure are high – every year, around 400 Iowans die due to radon exposure.

First, a breakdown. What exactly is radon? Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It is released during the decay of the elements uranium, thorium, and radium. This decay is a process that occurs in rocks and soil. Once the gas has been released, it makes its way through the ground and distributes into the air above. Radon is present nearly everywhere – everyone breathes in radon on a daily basis, although the amount is generally not large enough to be of concern.

When radon is present in large concentrations within a home, that is when the trouble starts to develop. There are many ways that radon can enter your home:

  • Dangers of Radon Exposure and Cancer Risks in IowaFloor Cracks
  • Foundation Cracks
  • Use of Well Water
  • Wall Cracks
  • Building Materials

Radon can seep through cracks in your home and may be released through well water or building materials as well. If your home is well-insulated and sealed off, there is a more of a chance that the radon levels in your home will be higher than average.

Radon Connected to Cancer in Iowa Residents

Any concentration of radon above 4pCi/L is considered dangerous. Prolonged exposure to such levels of radon could result in the development of lung cancer. Scientists began to notice the effects of radon during a study done on underground uranium miners, who were dying of lung cancer at above average rates. Further studies showed that rodents who were exposed to high levels of radon were more prone to develop lung tumors. More studies were done later comparing the radon levels in the homes of those who had lung cancer and those who did not. The research showed that higher radon levels produced a higher risk of lung cancer.

Radon Levels and Cancer Risk in Iowa HomesRadon causes cancer by decaying quickly, giving off small radioactive particles in the process. These radioactive particles damage the lining cells in the lung when they are inhaled. If a person is exposed to radon long-term, this damage may eventually result in lung cancer. Although there have been speculations of an increased risk of leukemia due to radon exposure, lung cancer is the only cancer proven to be linked directly to radon.

The only way to tell if there are elevated radon levels in your home is by testing. That is why it is important to have your home tested for radon as soon as possible. Ameriserv Radon Mitigation can help you find out if there is a radon problem in your home with our numerous radon testing methods. We will also help you take care of elevated radon levels with our radon mitigation services. Contact us today to see our Iowa service area and to get more information. Learn more about radon here.

What to Do When You Suspect You Have Been Exposed to Radon?

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Radon Exposure in Iowa

Radon Exposure and Health Risks in IowaElevated levels of radon in your home could be a major health concern for you and your family. Five out of every seven homes in Iowa have elevated levels of radon in them. Every year, about 400 Iowans die due to radon exposure, which is the number two cause of lung cancer. This is why it is so important to make sure that your home is free of radon. Ameriserv can help you with all of the tests and precautions to prevent radon from causing health issues for you and your family.

We offer several different options for radon testing as well as radon
mitigation. Our professionals can administer short-term and long-term tests to check the radon levels in your home. We also offer a $15 dollar at home radon detector kit so that you can begin the radon testing process on your own.

By what should you do if you think you may have been exposed to radon? The first step to take if you suspect radon exposure is to look for the common symptoms that are associated with prolonged exposure to high levels of radon. These symptoms include:

  • Lung Infections
  • Persistent cough
  • Wheezing
  • Heavy breathing

These are a few of the common signs that you may have been exposed to radon. If you are experiencing any of these signs, it is important to seek help immediately in order to prevent any further health problems. Mor information on the health risks of radon can be found on the EPA Radon Guide webpage.

What to Do to Prevent Radon Exposure in Your Iowa Home

Most major health problems associated with radon take several years to develop. That is why it is vital to take care of any radon problems in
your home right away to prevent prolonged exposure.

Radon Mitigation in Iowa to Prevent Health ProblemsThis can be done by first administering radon tests in your home. If you think you have already been exposed to radon, it may be wise to try a short-term radon test. This can give you an idea of the radon levels in your home. If the test results show a high radon level, contact a professional for further testing, or to have a radon mitigation system installed.

Ameriserv can install a radon mitigation system to effectively reduce the amount of radon in your home. To install this system, we drill a hole in your foundation to create a suction point. Next, attach PVC pipe to the hole to act as a vent for the gas. A fan is then used to make sure that the air flow is properly directed. With this system running continuously, radon will be able to exit your home, reducing the health risks for you and your family.

Contact the experts at Ameriserv for more information on what to do if you suspect a radon issue in your home, and check out the EPA Radon Guide for even more information. We offer quality testing and
mitigation services to those in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area.

Radon Detector vs. Professional Radon Testing – Which is Right for Your Iowa Home?

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Radon Detectors and Testing Services in Iowa

If you are concerned about radon levels in your home, the best thing you can do is invest in some sort of radon test to determine whether or not your home actually contains elevated radon levels. There are a variety of ways that this can be done – home radon testing kits and detectors, short-term professional tests, and long-term professional tests. The hard part is deciding which radon testing method to use in your home. That is why Ameriserv offers the necessary information and wide variety of solutions to help you choose the best option for your Iowa home.

Some of the different options that you can choose from to test the radon levels in your home include:

  • DIY Radon Kits and Detectors: Home radon tests can give you an idea of the radon levels in your home. These tests are usually left in your home somewhere undisturbed for 48 – 96 hours. To use these tests, you must close all of the doors and windows in the area. Most of the tests also require that you send them in to a lab in order to get the results. Here at Ameriserv, we offer a $15 at home radon testing kit. Contact us for more information on this and our other radon testing services.
  • Short-term testing: This kind of test takes around 2-7 days (some can take up to 90 days), and is used to measure average radon levels in your home over a short time period. Short-term testing methods include charcoal canisters, electret ion chambers, continuous monitors, and liquid scintillation detectors.
  • Long-term testing: This testing method, which usually takes over 90 days, is used to track average radon levels in your home year round. Long-term testing can be done of a high radon level was found with another testing method, or to find more accurate results. Testing methods include electret monitors and alpha track detectors.

These are some of the common methods used to test for radon in Iowa homes. If you are looking to sell your home, you should consider investing in at least short-term radon testing, to ensure there are no dangerous levels of radon in your home. If there have been high levels of radon in your home before, you may want to consider a long-term radon test to see how severe this issue is. If you are just trying to ensure the safety of your family and want to be sure there is not a high amount of radon in the air, a DIY radon detector may be the way to go for you.

Average Outside Air Level of Radon pCi/L. in Iowa

Radon Testing and Detector Solutions in Iowa by AmeriservRadon is a dangerous, colorless, and odorless gas that can cause several health problems for you and your family. Though no level of radon is considered completely safe, it is common for outside air levels to be around 0.2 pCi/L. This is a relatively small number when compared with indoor radon levels, which are commonly somewhere around 1-2 pCi/L.

If there is a radon level of over 4 pCi/L in your home, it means that the radon levels in your home are dangerously elevated. Have your home tested immediately to determine whether or not there is a radon issue there.

Ameriserv offers quality radon testing, detectors, and mitigation services for your home. Contact us today to see how we can help you get rid of the radon in your Iowa home.

General Frequently Asked Questions about Radon

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Understanding Radon is the First Step to Protecting your Iowa Home or Business

When it comes to radon, there is probably a lot that you do not know. You know that radon is dangerous, and that it is important to protect your home and family from it. Failing to do so could put you and your family or customers in danger. What are the first steps in preventing a radon issue in your home or business? Ameriserv Radon Mitigation in Iowa can provide you with the answers to all of your questions about radon.

Why is Radon Testing Important?

Dangers of Radon and Testing Solutions in Iowa from AmeriservIn the state of Iowa, around 400 people die from radon exposure every year. Your home may be one of the five out of every seven homes in Iowa that has dangerously elevated radon levels. If this is the case, it is important to have the radon taken care of right away.

That is where radon testing comes in. Because radon is a colorless, odorless gas, it can only be found using professional radon testing methods. Ameriserv offers both short-term and long-term radon tests to help you determine whether or not your home has a radon issue.

How Do I Get My Home Tested for Radon?

There are a few different options when it comes to testing your home for radon. Several home improvement and DIY stores sell “do-it-yourself” radon testing kits. This kind of radon kit can help you get a general idea of the radon levels in your home.

However, the best way to test for radon in your home is to have a professional radon mitigation service, such as the team at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation, come and administer radon tests in your home. Hiring a professional to test for radon in your home will give you an idea of the severity of the radon in your home.

What Kinds of Radon Tests Can be Used?

There are two main types of radon tests that can be used in your home – short-term tests, and long-term tests. Which type of test you use is up to you, but there are a few differences between the two types of test.

  • Short-term tests: Short-term tests can utilize a variety of different monitors and detectors to check the radon levels in your home. These tests are usually completed within 2-7 days, but more intensive tests could remain in your home for up to 90 days. Short-term tests are a less expensive option that is very convenient if you are looking to sell your home. They monitor radon levels over a short time period, giving you an idea of the radon levels in your home.
  • Long-term tests: This kind of test takes over 90 days, giving you the average year-round radon levels in your home. Long-term tests tend to be more accurate and a bit more expensive. If you have already used a short-term or DIY radon test and found elevated levels of radon in your home, be sure to follow it up with a long-term test.
  • DIY radon tests: If you want to get a general idea of radon levels in your home, try an at home radon test. The kits usually cost around $9 – $40. Leave the kit undisturbed for 48 to 96 hours and send the detector to a lab to get the results.

What Types of Devices are Used in Radon Tests?

There are two different types of monitors or detectors used in most radon tests: passive devices, and active devices. Passive devices include alpha track detectors, charcoal canisters, electret ion chamber detectors, and charcoal liquid scintillation detectors. These devices are sent to a laboratory for analysis after use.

The second kind of device, active devices, is made up of continuous monitors and continuous working level monitors. Active devices require professional attention and are designed to provide data on the variation within a given test period.

Where and When Should Radon Testing Be Done?

Since radon usually seeps into a home from the soil, the best place for testing to be done is the lowest level of the home that is occupied. Testing in a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room or hallway should be avoided. Drafty or humid areas may inhibit test results.

What is the Next Step After Radon Testing?

If you complete a short-term or DIY radon test and find a radon level above 4pCi/L, a long-term test should be administered to further assess the severity of the radon levels. For test results under 4 pCi/L, an immediate follow-up test is not necessary. It may be wise to test again after a long period of time, to determine changing radon levels and patterns.

Radon Mitigation and Testing Answers for Iowa HomeownersIf you are looking to sell your home, or if you just want to ensure that it is a safe place for you and your family, consider investing in radon testing from Ameriserv. We are happy to offer testing and mitigation services to the Cedar Rapids, IA area. Contact us today for more information.

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!