Category Archives: Radon Mitigation

Ten Myths about Radon

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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

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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!

Even Kids get that Radon is Dangerous

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Kids Work on a Bill for Radon Testing & Mitigation in Schools

Kids work on a bill for IowaIt’s great to know that kids get it. Radon is dangerous, and they are trying to do something about it. The State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council help to champion a bill to make sure that Iowa schools are tested for radon levels. This group of students researched and learned about the effects of radon which is a carcinogenic gas that occurs in Iowa in levels you don’t see just about anywhere else in the United States. Every single one of the counties in Iowa are at an elevated risk of radon exposure.

Radon has been proven to be a problem in schools due to the way they are constructed. With students and teachers spending hours and hours a day in the school buildings, if radon is present they are in deep trouble. Sadly the bill did not advance even though the research showed the high levels of radon in Iowa and the danger the schools are in. As always, cost was a concern.

What Else can we do to Protect our Kids from Radon Exposure?

radon testing iowa schoolsSo make sure you are educating your children. The more people talk about radon and it’s dangers, especially to our children in their schools, the sooner it will get done. Also, contact your local government representatives and push for this type of legislation to be approved. Our kids tried to stand up for other kids in our state. Now we need to as well! If you have questions about radon, the dangers of radon, or if you want to have radon testing and mitigation for your school contact the team at Ameriserv Radon. We do radon testing and mitigation in schools. We are here for you Iowa!

Read more about this story here:  http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/abetteriowa/2016/06/02/youth-urge-iowa-legislature-get-ahead-curve/85301998/

What Renters Should Know About Radon

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Radon in Your Iowa Apartment

If you live in Iowa, you are probably aware that radon is a big problem for locals. This odorless and colorless gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the country and kills around four-hundred Iowans each year. That is why it is so important to test your living space for elevated radon levels. If you live in an apartment or are renting your home, it may have been tested for radon already. Check with the owner of the building to see if it has been tested. If the building has not been tested, you may want to request that the owner have it tested.

However, if the owner does not or will not test for radon, there are a few things you can do to test for radon yourself. You can invest in professional radon testing with the experts at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa, or you can conduct a do-it-yourself radon test.

If you opt for a DIY radon test kit, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • building-2The EPA suggests all homes below the third floor be tested for radon. You can test your unit if you live above the third floor, but those below the third floor are at greater risk since radon enters through the ground.
  • Be sure to place the radon test kit in the lowest portion of the home that is inhabited by you and your family on a regular basis.
  • Keep all doors and windows closed whenever possible during the test for the most accurate results.
  • Place the test somewhere where it will not be disturbed for at least 48 hours (or as long as is required by test instructions).
  • Once complete, seal the test in the package once again and send it to the laboratory to obtain the results.

Once the test has been completed and you receive the results, you will know whether or not your home has high radon levels and can plan the next course of action.

What Can You Do About High Radon Levels as a Tenant?

If the test results determine that the building contains high radon levels, you should let the owner know in writing. You can give a copy of the test results to the business owner and talk about the best way to take care of the radon issue. You may also want to share the test results with any other tenants living in the building. This way, they can invest in radon tests for their own units or talk to the owner.

Most likely, the owner will be required to have more radon testing done by professionals to find out the severity of the problem. If these test results support the results of your own test, the owner will need to have the building mitigated. Talk to the building owner about getting the radon mitigated with professional mitigation services like those we offer here at AmeriServ.

If you are an Iowa renter concerned about radon levels in your apartment building, high-rise complex, or rented home, contact AmeriServ for help or click here to learn more about what you can do.

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!