Tag Archives: Iowa Radon Levels

Are we SURE that Radon is a Health Risk in Iowa?

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 How do we know that Radon poses a health risk?

Homeowners are constantly warned of the dangers that come from elevated radon levels in the home. Five out of seven homes in Iowa contain high levels of the colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It is the number two cause of lung cancer in the United States, and causes 4oo deaths in Iowa alone each year. But many people ask if there is concrete evidence that radon is actually so detrimental to our health. How can we be sure that there is a real health risk attached to the high levels of radon in many homes?

Radon Health Problems and Solutions in Iowa from Ameriserv Radon MitigationThe US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) already has plenty of scientific evidence that radon exposure is often linked to lung cancer. This connection was first realized when scientists noticed that the underground uranium miners who were exposed to radon died of lung cancer at a higher rate than others. These studies were confirmed by animal studies, which showed higher rates of lung tumors in the rodents that were exposed to radon. Although there is much dispute among some scientists that the estimated radon-related lung cancer deaths are actually lower than commonly believed, several health organizations, such as the CDC (Center for Disease Control), American Lung Association, the Surgeon General, the American Medical Association, and several others agree that we know enough about the health risks to recommend radon testing and mitigation.

If you find radon levels in your home above 4 pCi/L, consider investing in radon mitigation from Ameriserv. The National Academy of Science’s Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR VI) Report reinforced that radon is the second-leading cause o lung cancer in the country. This presents radon levels as a serious health issue that should not be ignored.

What to do When You Find Radon

If you find that your home contains elevated levels of radon, it is important to have it fixed as soon as possible. There are a few steps that you can take to take care of the radon problem in your home:

  • Contact a professional: If you suspect that your home has a radon problem, or if you just want to be sure that you and your family are safe, contact a professional radon expert today.
  • Have your home tested: Have the professional team at Amerisev perform radon testing in your home to determine whether or not you are in need of mitigation services. Radon levels of over 4 pCi/L lead to serious health issues.
  • Invest in radon mitigation: We can install a radon mitigation system to remove radon from your home and prevent future radon issues. In most cases, radon levels can be reduced to lower than 2 pCi/L to reduce your risk of lung cancer and keep you and your family healthy and safe.

The radon mitigation experts at Ameriserv can help you get rid of the radon problem in your home. Whether you are trying to sell your home, or just want to make sure it is safe for you and your family, we are your number one choice for radon mitigation in Iowa. Contact us today for more information.

The Myths About Radon

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Fact and Fiction about Radon for Iowa Homeowners

radon into homeAlthough most homeowners know that radon is a serious issue, many people are not sure what to believe about the gas. There are several myths surrounding radon that can cause people to overlook radon issues, and pay little attention to the importance of radon testing and mitigation. It vital that you understand the dangers of radon and how to prevent it from causing health issues for you and your family. Ameriserv is dedicated to protecting you and your family from harmful radon. That is why we have put together a list of myths and the corresponding facts about radon:

  • Myth: Scientists are not sure radon is a real issue.
    Fact: Some scientists argue that the estimated number of deaths due to radon is much lower than commonly expressed. However, major health organizations such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Lung Association agree that radon is the cause of thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths each year, especially among smokers.
  • Myth: Radon testing is costly, time consuming, and difficult.
    Fact:     Radon testing is actually very easy, and can take as little time as two days. Contact the radon testing professionals at Ameriserv to find out more.
  • Myth: Homes with radon cannot be fixed.
    Fact: There are actually several simple, relatively inexpensive solutions to take care of radon levels in your home. Ameriser offers quality mitigation services for homeowners in Iowa.
  • Myth: Radon only affects certain types of homes.
    Fact: Radon can affect any type of home, from old to new, from drafty to well insulated. It is true, however, that some kinds of construction materials and local geology can have an effect on the radon levels in the home.
  • Myth: Radon is only a problem in certain areas of the country.
    Fact: Although radon problems vary from place to place, elevated levels have been found in every state.
  • Myth: The test results of a neighbor are an indicator that your home has a radon problem.
    Fact: Radon levels are different in every home, and the only way to know for sure whether your home has a problem is to have it professionally tested.
  • Myth: Water supplies should always be tested for radon.
    Fact: Radon can contaminate the air in your home through your water supply, but it is much more common for elevated radon levels to be caused by radon in the air alone. Have the air in your home tested first, and if the high radon levels still have no apparent cause, test the water, or contact your water supplier, if your water comes from a public source.
  • Myth: It is difficult to sell homes once radon has been discovered in them.
    Fact: Once the radon problem in the home has been fixed, it is not more difficult than normal to sell the home. In fact, the added preventative and protective systems are often a great selling point.
  • Myth: I’ve already lived in my home so long, it’s not worth it to take action now.
    Fact: Whether or not you have lived with the issue for a long time, taking care of the radon problem in your home will still reduce your risk for lung cancer.
  • Myth: Short-term tests cannot be used to determine whether or not to invest in radon mitigation.
    Fact: A short-term test followed by another short-term tests are often used to decide whether or not your home is in need of mitigation. Contact a professional for more information.

If you live in Iowa, and are in need of answers for the radon problem in your home, contact Ameriserv today. We offer testing and mitigation to remove radon from your home. Contact us today for a quality radon solution.

Radon in the Water – Protect your Iowa Home

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Radon is in the Air, But it can also in the Water

Radon is a serious problem for many homeowners in Iowa. It is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas that is the number two cause of lung cancer in the United States. Five out of seven homes in Iowa contain elevated levels of radon, leading dangerous threats to the health of those who live in or visit the home. If your home has a radon problem, it is important to have it taken care of as soon as possible. Fortunately, the experts at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation are able to provide professional radon testing and mitigation services to keep your home safe.

Solutions for Radon in the Water in your Iowa Home from AmeriservAlthough radon usually enters the home through the soil beneath the foundation, it can also enter your home through the home’s water supply. The risk of radon poisoning from the water supply is usually highest when the radon in the water enters the air as the water is used for showering, cooking, or other common household purposes. When the contaminated water is released from the tap, the radon will evaporate out of the water and contaminate the air. Heating this water and causing steam can increase the amount of radon that is released into the air. Normally, contaminated water supplies come from groundwater sources, such as a private or public well, and not from surface water sources.

If you suspect that the water in your home is contaminated with radon, follow these steps.

  • Radon Testing: Test your home for radon to determine whether or not there are really elevated radon levels in your home. For this type of radon testing, short-term testing is probably the best solution.
  • Home Radon Mitigation: Invest in radon mitigation services from the professionals at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation to get rid of the radon in your home.
  • Remove Radon from Water: Radon can be removed from the water source in your home in two different ways: point of entry, and point of use. The water can either be treated before it enters your home, or at the tap.

If you are looking for radon testing and mitigation services in Iowa, look no further than Ameriserv. We can test your home to determine the severity of the problem, and come up with a mitigation system to best suit your individual needs. Contact us today to find out more about the services we offer and the cities that we service.

Radon Test Kit vs. Professional Radon Testing in Iowa

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Why Choose Professional Radon Testing in Iowa

Each year, around 400 Iowans die from exposure to radon, a naturally produced gas. Radon is formed when the uranium and radium in rocks decays, filling the soil with radon. When buildings are constructed on radon-rich soil, the radon escapes into the home through foundation cracks, sump pumps, or gaps and spaces around pipes. This creates a dangerous environment for you and your family. If your home is one of the five out of seven homes in Iowa infected with dangerous levels of radon, it is important to call the experts at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation today.

You cannot see, smell, or taste radon; this makes it even more of a threat to the well-being of your family. Homes with elevated levels of radon are nearly impossible to detect without professional radon testing. There are a couple different types of testing, short-term testing, and long-term testing.

  • Short-Term Testing: This type of test usually remains in your home for 2 to 90 days, depending on which kind of test you use. The types of devices used for short-term testing are “charcoal canisters,” “alpha track,” “electret iron chamber,” “continuous monitors,” and “charcoal liquid scintillation” detectors. Short-term tests may not determine year-round average radon level, but are great for getting quick results.
  • Long-Term Testing: These tests remain in your home for more than 90 days. Common long-term test devices include “alpha track” and “electret” detectors. Long term tests take longer, but are much more likely to give you your home’s year-round average radon level.

Radon Testing in Iowa by Ameriserv Radon Mitigation The first step is to determine whether or not there is a radon problem in your home. This can be done either by DIY methods, or by calling a professional radon mitigation expert to administer professional tests. Radon testing kits are very affordable, but the results may vary. In some cases, if you are just trying to determine whether or not to invest in radon prevention systems, DIY radon testing may be the option for you.

However, if you are looking to sell your home, or your DIY tests showed elevated radon levels and you want confirmation, professional tests should be considered. The radon mitigation experts at Ameriserv can provide reliable tests to see if your home is in need of professional radon mitigation services. The extra cost is definitely worth it, as professional radon testing can help you determine the extent of the radon problem in your home.

What to do once you test positive for Radon in Iowa

If you find that your home has elevated levels of radon, it is important to contact a radon mitigation expert immediately. The Ameriserv team installs a radon mitigation system to remove any harmful radon from your home as fast as possible. First, we will drill a hole in your foundation to provide a suction point. Next, we will attach a PVC pipe to the hole to act as a vent and connect the hole to a fan. This fan promotes air flow in the right direction. Once this system is installed, it is important to seal foundation cracks and any gaps and spaces to prevent radon from the soil from making its way into the home.

Contact us today for more information on our premiere radon testing and mitigation services in Iowa.

Radon in Iowa Schools – The Latest News

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How the State of Iowa is Handling Radon Testing in Schools

Recently, the Iowa House of Representatives voted on a bill regarding radon testing in Iowa schools. The bill passed in the house with a vote of 98-1. Though the bill is not a mandate for radon testing in the state’s public schools, it is a step in the right direction, as it actively encourages school districts to test for and mitigate radon.

Radon, a natural gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The soil in Iowa produces large amounts of radon, which could possibly endanger many students in schools. The bill, which is set to be negotiated with the House and Senate, is careful not to put an unfunded mandate into place, as it highly recommends radon testing as opposed to requiring it in the state’s 362 school districts.

Many superintendents across the state support the bill as a way to protect their students and their schools. Before passing in the House, many suggested that the bill should require radon testing equipment in all new construction jobs. That version was scrapped in favor of focusing solely on schools.

Radon testing in Iowa schools is very important for numerous reasons. Radon is colorless and odorless, meaning a school can have high levels of radon for years without ever recognizing it. This radon affects your lungs over a long period of time and can lead to breathing problems and lung cancer. Testing for radon in schools can protect thousands of Iowa students from problems later in life. If a school has high levels of radon and students spend many years there, it can greatly increase their chances of problems down the road.

Testing for radon in schools and homes can protect you, your family, and your students from the dangerous effects of this gas.

How Does Radon Enter your Iowa Home

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Radon Can be in your Iowa Home Without you Knowing

Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. It moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in Iowa Radon Mitigation is needed to stop one of the leading causes of cancer.the foundation. Once the radon enters your home, it becomes trapped inside and builds up.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, second only to smoking. In the United States, radon gas in soils is the principal source of elevated radon levels in home and businesses. There are several major entry points for radon to enter the home. Some of these are:

  • Cracks in concrete slabs
  • Cracks in concrete blocks
  • Floor-wall joints
  • Soil exposed in a crawlspace
  • Drain tile if drained to open sump
  • Mortar joints
  • Loose pipes
  • The water supply

All of Iowa’s counties are in the EPA red zone map which signifies where radon is the highest. These are areas where the average indoor levels of radon is at least 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Over 70 percent of Iowa homes have elevated radon levels.

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that silently seeps into homes and buildings. Because the air pressure inside your home is lower than the pressure in the soil around your home’s foundation, your home acts like a vacuum, drawing in the radon. AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa  are the professionals to call and get your home tested for radon and if the levels are found to be high, we will recommend the right system for your home’s needs.

How Can Iowa Homeowners Protect Themselves?

Homeowners in Iowa can protect themselves from this deadly gas by having the mitigationiowaprofessionals at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa test to see if your home has a high level of radon, and if so, recommend a mitigation system that will reduce the level. Testing is easy and inexpensive.

Radon  is measured in picocuries per liter of air, or pCi/L. The quickest way to test is with a short-term test. This short-term test remains in your home for 2-3 days. Because radon levels vary from day to day and season to season, a short-term test won’t accurately tell you your year-round average. If the result of your short-term test if 4 pCi/L or higher, be sure to follow up with a long-term test or a second short-term test. The higher your initial short-term test results, the more certain you can be that you should follow up on it.

Long-term testing remains in your home for more than 90 days. This will give a more accurate reading of your home’s year-round average of radon level. Once the testing levels are known to be high, AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa will recommend the best solution for radon mitigation for your home.

Radon mitigation is the process of removing the radon from your home to the outside. AmeriServ Mitigation System of Iowa can redirect the radon gas out of your home. One way for example, is we can drill a hole in your foundation or slab, which creates a suction point. A PVC pipe is then connected through this hole to use as a vent for the radon gas to exit through. A fan is then connected to this system to ensure the air flows in the right direction.

The EPA and Surgeon General recommends testing of all homes below the third floor for radon. Testing if the only way to know if you are at risk for radon. Testing in inexpensive and easy. Let the professionals at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa come and test your home and if the levels are found to be high, recommend a mitigation system for you. Our services include a 200% guarantee on all work performed and a 5-year warranty on the radon mitigation systems.

The professionals at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa have a combined 50 years of experience and our fully insured and background checked who are committed to making sure each system is designed for the customer’s needs. Don’t let this colorless, odorless gas be a worry for you or your family. Let us get your home tested and give you peace of mind. If we find the radon levels to be high in your home, we have the solution. We will also test and re-test to make sure the radon levels go down. Don’t hesitate, contact the professionals today at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa for your radon mitigation needs.

 

Radon Overview

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What is Radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless and odorless. It forms naturally from the decay
radon of radioactive elements, such as uranium which is found in soil and rock. Radon gas in the soil and rock can get into the air, ground water and surface water. Radon can be found all over the United States. Iowa has the highest average radon concentrations in the United States. The state falls into the EPA red zone, meaning every county in Iowa has an average indoor radon screening level greater than the suggested 4.0 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L which is the unit of measurement used to measure the amount of radon in the air.)

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, second only to smoking. In the United States, radon gas in soils is the principal source of elevated radon levels in home and businesses. Since families spend most of their time at home, this is where most exposure to radon comes from. Testing is the only way to know if you are at risk from radon exposure. AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa can test your home for radon levels.

AmeriServ Radon Mitigation offers short term testing and long term testing. Short term testing is done when the results need to be done quickly, as in a real estate transaction. Long term testing will last for 90 days or more. This method will give you a better idea of the year round average of the radon levels in your home. If your home is found to have high levels of radon, the experts at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation can put in a radon mitigation system that can reduce the levels in your home by up to 99%.

How Does the EPA Recommend You Handle Radon?

The EPA recommends that you test your home, and fix your home if it found to have a level of 4 pCi/L or higher. After AmeriServ Radon Mitigation tests your home, and determines that radon is present, we will look at what system will be the best fit for your home. Our mitigation system will direct the radon from inside your home to the outside.

One of the ways of radon mitigation is drilling a hole in your foundation or slab, which mitigationiowacreates a suction point. Then we use a PVC pipe connected through this hole to use as a vent for the radon gas. A fan is connected to this system to ensure the air flows in the right direction. This is usually installed in the attic of your home. We will test and retest this system to make sure it is working to eliminate the radon gas from your home.

Radon is estimated to cause thousands of lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. Testing for this deadly gas is inexpensive and the solutions are simple. AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa guarantees 200% on all work performed and a 5-year warranty on radon mitigation system. With over 50 years of experience and our fully insured specialists you will be assured that your home is in good hands. We will make sure the radon level in your home will be reduced and keep your home at a safe level.

Contact the professionals today at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa today for testing your home for radon levels and offering the best solution for the reduction of radon levels.

 

 

 

 

Important Facts About Radon Testing

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What Consumers in Iowa Should Know Prior to Radon TestingRadon Mitigation Des Moines Services and Radon Levels Chart

Here are some important facts about radon testing that it is good for every consumer to know prior to having radon testing performed in their Iowa home.

  • If you choose to perform a short term test (which would be a 2-4 day test) it is important for the home to remain closed for 12 hours prior to the start of testing and for the whole time the test is being performed.
  • If you choose to perform the long term test (which would be about 4-7 days of testing) it is also important to have the same closed house conditions.
  • If you are hiring someone to do testing, make sure they are qualified to perform the radon testing you need, like AmeriServ Radon Mitigation. Testing companies should be able to provide you with information to prove they are qualified.
  • The test should include a method or methods to prevent or detect any interference with testing conditions or with the radon testing device itself.
  • Do no interfere with the radon testing devices during the time of testing as it will likely affect the outcome of your test, and a correct result is critical.
  • When your test is being performed, make sure that you run your heat or cooling the way you normal would for the weather conditions during the time of the test.
  • If you have a test that is positive for high levels of radon, you want to have this dealt with with high priority. Iowa is known for very high levels of radon. The EPA recommends that you mitigate for radon in the home when the radon level is 4 pCi/L or more.

Mitigation is Critical for High Levels of Radon in Your Iowa Home

If you test for high levels of radon, AmeriServ Radon Mitigation highly recommends not waiting to have mitigation performed. We can find the right solution for your home, have a radon mitigation system setup quickly, which is critical for the safety of your family. Radon is a cancer causing agent that you cannot see, smell, or taste, so proper testing followed by radon mitigation by a professional with a lot of experience is so important to the health of your family. AmeriServ cares for Iowa families, and wants to help protect you.

Remember that your Iowa business or school could also be at risk for high levels of radon. We can also perform testing for businesses and schools to keep the occupants safe from the dangers of radon gas. So don’t wait. Ask about radon testing, and then setup your test. Know the dangers of radon, and then partner with the radon testing and mitigation specialists at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation today. Call us anytime if you want to learn more.