Schools are one of the most important parts of our society. But what happens when they become a dangerous place for children? What do we do then? Radon has recently been found in some schools, which, because they’re filled with children, is a serious problem. That’s why we have school district radon testing Iowa to help you out. We are your Iowa Radon Mitigation team.

What is radon? Radon is a gas that can be…well…anywhere, really. It can be anywhere where there’s soil or water, which, in reality, is everywhere. The danger of radon depends on the amount there is and the concentration in any given place. Radon is much more dangerous to children, mostly because they’re smaller, but also because their lungs are still developing and are, yes, smaller. It is proven that a ten year old child receives twice the dose of radon than an adult who’s been exposed for the same amount of time. And schools are filled with tons of children that are younger than ten, so what are the limits of harm to them?

School District Radon Mitigation Iowa

The reason that radon is so dangerous is because it causes lung cancer. In fact, radon is the second largest cause of lung cancer in the nation, next to smoking. Lung cancer is deadly and saddening, and we’re on a mission to cure and prevent it, not encourage it! Also, radon is called a “silent killer” because it’s undetectable to the five human senses. It’s in the air, so you can’t feel it, you can’t smell it, you can’t taste it, and it’s clear, so you can’t see it either! Well, what do you do then? You need to get your school tested. If high radon levels are found, you need to take action to lower them. You need our school district radon testing Iowa and our school district radon mitigation Iowa services. Prevent children from getting hurt by this terrible silent killer. If you need school district radon mitigation Iowa, we’re your people! Call us, and we’ll test your school! We offer radon cities in the following cities plus more in Iowa: Des Moines, Carroll, Harlan, and Urbandale.

Radon in schools is certainly a topic of concern for all. At AmeriServ, we can be your school radon mitigation Iowa service provider. A nationwide survey of levels of radon in schools estimates that nearly one in five of every school in the US has at least one frequently occupied room with short-term radon levels that are higher than the EPA recommended mitigation levels. Iowa schools and home stand at a higher risk than most because of the high levels of radon in the Iowa soils. Typically a school building will have higher levels in some rooms than others, meaning the testing is not the same throughout the building. It is necessary to test all frequently occupied classrooms that have contact with the ground in order to identify where the elevated levels are occurring. The school radon mitigation Iowa service team is at your service to protect schools and remedy any potential radon problems. AmeriServ is your Iowa radon mitigation team.

School District Radon Testing Iowa

Of course parents and families worry about potential dangers and risks while their children are at school. Worrying about the actual air they are breathing can be unsettling because we all know it is very difficult to protect people from something that has no smell, color or taste. The EPA has classified all 99 counties in Iowa as a “Zone 1” meaning they have the highest potential for indoor radon concentrations above 4 picocuries per liter.  The EPA does maintain, however, that “there is no known SAFE level of radon.” There is no doubt that radon is a problem in Iowa because it’s in the air.  That air surrounds Iowans on a daily basis. Iowa’s child care facilities are required to test for radon every other year but there is no requirement yet for K-12 schools regarding radon screening or mitigation.

For any questions or concerns about school radon mitigation in Iowa schools or Iowa school districts, please give AmeriServ Radon a call today. We are your radon mitigation Iowa team!

What is a safe level of radon?

How do you know your home is a healthy place when radon is odorless, tasteless, and colorless? This is why it is called the “silent killer” and is the number two cause of lung cancer in the United States. How do you know what level is an acceptable level? How do you know if you even have radon in your home at all? This is a task for AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Iowa. We can teach you about the radon levels that could be present in your home. Know that no level of radon is safe, but there is a point where it becomes dangerous. For your radon levels Iowa questions, we have answers for you!

Dangerous Levels of Radon in Iowa

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The smaller that number, the better. No matter what amount of radon is in your home, though, it can pose a danger. The bottom line is that any level of this dangerous gas poses a threat to you and your family.

The EPA says that 4.0 pCi/L is the action level for any space, however the World Health Organization actually states it is a lower rate of 3.0 pCi/L. At this level, the home needs to mitigated to lessen the radon levels right away. The EPA says radon is a larger threat to children than adults, but it is dangerous to everyone. It is also more hazardous to smokers who are already at risk of lung cancer.

Radon enters a home through cracks, holes, or other openings (usually in the floor.) The pressure inside of your house is lower than the pressure surrounding it. This causes the “stack effect.” Like a vacuum, the radon infested air is sucked into your home. Radon levels generally rise when it gets chilly out because windows and doors are staying closed, so the radon has no way out.

The average radon level outside is .4 pCi/L. The national average for homes is 1.5 pCi/L. Iowa’s radon levels are even proven to be greater than other states. Chances are, if you live in an Iowa home, you have some sort of radon danger in your home. Let us help keep you and your family safe from that danger.

You might still be questioning how dangerous these various levels of radon are. To put it in perspective, even 1 pCi/L is equal to smoking two and a half cigarettes per day. The radiation in a 4.0 pCi/L level of radon is equal to the radiation from 100 chest x-rays. Hospitals will only allow you to get 4 chest x-rays in a year because they emit so much radiation. Radon is no doubt, a very dangerous gas.

How to Control Radon Levels in Iowa

The only way to know that radon is in your home is to do a test for the gas. AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Iowa can perform a quick, inexpensive test in your home to test for levels or radon gas. It is the very best way to know how to proceed. Once your home has been tested, AmeriServ can provide you with radon mitigation Iowa services. We can even install a radon mitigation Iowa system in your home to constantly lower its radon levels.

With 50 years in the construction world, we have the know how and expertise to set your home up right. You can count us to provide you with a quick solution that with keep you safe and provide you with peace of mind. This is not something you want to wait on. Radon levels in Iowa have been proven to be unusually high. Don’t take a chance, call AmeriServ with all your concerns about radon levels in Iowa today. We are here to serve your radon mitigation Iowa needs. Call us today for an appointment. Learn more today by visiting our FAQ page.