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A Citizen’s Guide to Radon in Iowa

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Protecting Yourself and Your Family From Radon

Radon causes thousands of lung cancer deaths in the United States each year. The entire
Radon mitigation is Iowa by AmeriServ Radon Mitigationstate of Iowa is in the red zone which means that every county in Iowa is in the highest potential area of the United States for higher than average levels of radon. This is due to the fact that Iowa has uranium-rich soil. Radon is formed when the uranium and radium in rocks decays, filling the soil with radon.

You cannot see, smell or taste radon so you won’t know if your have a high radon level unless your home is tested. It causes thousands of deaths a year because when you breathe air that contains radon, it can cause lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, second only to smoking. If you smoke and your home has high radon level, you have an even higher risk of developing lung cancer. There are several ways that radon gets into your home. They are:

  • Cracks in floors
  • Cracks in walls
  • Construction joints
  • Gaps in suspended floors
  • Gaps around pipes
  • Water supply
  • Cavities inside walls

Once radon enters your home, it becomes trapped and builds up. A radon level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher is cause for concern. Even radon levels less than 4 pCi/L poses a risk. It is important to get your Iowa home tested for radon. The experts at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation  can come and test your home and offer radon mitigation to keep your radon levels low.

Solutions For High Radon Levels in Iowa

AmeriServ Radon Mitigation can test your home using short-term testing of long-term testing.

  • Short-term testing: This testing remains in your home for 2 to 90 days, using either charcoal canisters, alpha track, electret iron chamber, continuous monitors and charcoal liquid scintillation detectors. This type of testing may not determine a year-round average. Many times, short-term testing is done for real estate transactions.
  • Long-term testing: This testing remains in your home for more than 90 days and give a more accurate year-round average of your radon levels. This testing includes alpha track and electret detectors.

If the testing finds that your home has elevated levels of radon, the AmeriServ team can install a radon mitigation system to remove the harmful radon from your home.

The first step in radon mitigation is to drill a hole in your foundation to provide a suction point. Next, we attach a PVC pipe to the hole to act as a vent then the pipe is connected to a fan. The fan allows the air to flow in the right direction, out of the home.

It is important to get your Iowa home tested for radon, and have a professional perform radon mitigation if the levels are high. Protect yourself and your family from health issues related to radon. Let the professionals at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation test your home.

The AmeriServ team is professionally trained by the State of Iowa and is certified by the Iowa Department of Public Health. Don’t hesitate to contact AmeriServ to get your home tested for radon and keep you and your family safe from this harmful gas.

 

PHYSICIAN’S IN IOWA HAVE A GUIDE FOR RADON

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Radon in Iowa is Radon Mitigation in Iowa by AmeriServa health threat. The US Environmental Protection Agency
has provided a guide to the physician’s of Iowa as to the the risks and
consequences of exposure to radon. The radon levels in Iowa are some of the
highest in the country. The entire state of Iowa is in the red zone,
meaning that every county in Iowa has above average radon levels.

Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell or taste. Radon is
released by uranium-bearing rocks and soil as the uranium undergoes natural
radioactive decay. The gas moves through the soil and reaches the outdoor
air and can accumulate under the slabs and foundations of homes and
businesses. The radon will enter the home or business through cracks and
openings, and becomes trapped inside. This can cause high indoor
concentrations. When this radon is inhaled, it can become a danger to the
lungs. Radon is the second cause of lung cancer, second only to cigarette
smoking. Here are some of the ways that radon will enter your home or business:

  • Cracks in concrete slabs
  • Floor-wall joints
  • Spaces behind brick veneer walls that rest on uncapped hollow-brick foundation
  • Mortar joints
  • Loose fitting pipe
  • Open tops of block walls
  • Pores and cracks in concrete blocks
  • Exposed soil, as in a sump
  • Weeping drain tile, if drained to open sump

Physician’s are well aware of how radon can affect the health of their
patients. That is why they encourage patients to test for radon levels in
their homes. Knowing the levels in your home and having radon mitigation if
the levels are over 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) is important. AmeriServ
Radon Mitigation of Iowa can come and test your home or business and offer
radon mitigation if we find the levels to be high.

SOLUTIONS FOR HIGH RADON LEVELS

The professionals at AmeriServe Radon Mitigation of Iowa has the testing equipment and mitigation solutions for you in Iowa. We have short term testing and long term testing. The short term testing is used when there is a need to know the results quickly as in a real estate deal. There are a few method of doing short term testing:

  1. Charcoal canisters
  2. Electret ion chamber
  3. continuous monitors
  4. Liquid scintillation

Long term testing will last for 90 days or longer. The benefit of long term testing is that it will give a more accurate, year round average of the radon levels in your home. This prevents false negative or positive results because of a peak or valleys in the radon levels.

After testing, if the levels in your home or business are above 4pCi/L, the experts at AmeriServ will perform radon mitigation. The process of radon mitigation removes radon from your home and expels it to the outdoor air. To do this, we drill a hole in the foundation or slab, creating a suction point. Then a PVC pipe is connected through the hole to use as a vent for the radon gas. A fan is then connected to this system to ensure air flow in the right direction. this is usually installed in the attic of your home.

Don’t let radon in your Iowa home become a health issue for you and your family. Let AmeriServ conduct radon testing and give you the solution you need to remove the radon from your home or business.

AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa has a team that has been professionally trained by the State of Iowa and is certified by the Iowa Department of Public Health. Don’t hesitate to contact us for your radon testing and radon mitigation needs. We have the solution for you! Contact us today!

 

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.

The Costs and Benefits of Radon Test in Iowa

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Radon Testing Can Save you Something More Important than Money – It Can Save Your Life.

You may think that getting radon testing done in your Iowa home, business, church, or school will be expensive, but this is not necessarily true. We here at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa offer long-term tests, short-term tests, and radon kits.

Long-term tests stay in your home for about 90 days. These tests are administered by our professionals. These tests give an accurate representation of what your home’s radon gas levels are year-round.

Radon testing costs and benefits in Iowa

Short-term tests stay in your home anywhere from 2 to 90 days (depending on the specific device). These tests are also administered by our professionals. These give a result that represents the levels during that time. Radon gas levels may fluctuate throughout the year, and from season to season.

If it is found that your home has higher radon gas levels than the allowable 4.0 pCi/L after taking a short-term test, it is likely that you will have to take another short-term test, or a long-term test, just to be sure.

The last type of testing is a radon kit. These are tests that are administered by you. They are the cheapest, and one of the quickest ways to test for radon gas levels in your home, business, church, or school. We here at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa offer these radon kits for only $15.00!

Radon tests are the best way to know if your Iowa home, business, church, or school is falling victim to high radon gas levels. Radon gas is a dangerous gas that can not be seen, smelled, heard, or tasted. Because of this, the only way to tell if you are being affected by it is through regular testing.

Radon gas is dangerous because it can cause serious health problems such as lung cancer. In fact, on average about 400 Iowan deaths a year are caused by lung cancer due to high radon gas levels. So, getting a simple radon test could save your life. Paying a little money, and taking a little bit of your time could save your life, so do not wait!

The Side Effects of Radon

The entire state of Iowa is in “Zone 1” which basically means that all of Iowa is likely to have elevated levels of radon gas. In fact, about 5 out of 7 Iowa homes are likely to have high levels of radon gas. Because of this, radon testing in your Iowa homes, businesses, churches, and schools is even more important. Some ways to tell if you could be experiencing the side effects of radon gas include:

  • Persistent cough
  • Wheezing
  • Heavy breathing
  • Lung infections

These are also early signs of lung cancer, so if you experience these health problems, make sure to consult your doctor immediately, and get your home tested by us here at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa. If we test your home and your results come back as high levels of radon gas, we offer a mitigation service to install mitigation systems.

To learn more about our radon testing or mitigation services, our service area, or to schedule a radon test, give Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa a call! We want to help you feel safe and healthy in your Iowa home. Contact us today!

Radon Exposure and Radon Poisoning in Iowa, What you Should Know

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Why is Radon Exposure so High in Iowa?

Most people have probably heard about radon, and how it is a dangerous gas that can not be seen, smelled, heard, or tasted but why are radon levels so high in Iowa? And how did they get that way?

Well, during the Ice Ages, when glaciers would move, they would pick up rocks from what is now Minnesota, Ontario, and Wisconsin and move them into Iowa. Many rocks house uranium and radium, which then releases radon. When the glaciers moved, they pummeled the rocks and broke them up, causing the rocks to release their radon gas.

For those that do not know why radon gas is such a bad thing, here are some facts:Radon exposure in Iowa

  • An estimated 400 deaths per year in Iowa are caused by radon-induced lung cancer.
  • The entire state of Iowa is located in “Zone 1” which basically means that Iowa is extremely likely to have elevated levels of radon gas.
  • The U.S. EPA has set the allowable radon level at 4.0 picoCuries per liter of air (that is the measurement for the amount of radon gas in the air).
  • The average measurement of radon in buildings around Iowa is 8.5 pCi/L. This is more than six times the national average. As well as over double what the EPA has set for the allowable level.
  • It has been found that about 5 in 7 homes in the entire state of Iowa have elevated radon gas levels.

Radon Poisoning in Iowa – Protect Yourselves Now

Because of these facts, all homes, businesses, and schools in the Iowa area should get radon tests. We here at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa want to make sure your homes, businesses, and schools are safe for its inhabitants. We offer radon testing as well as mitigation services. These services will help you protect and prevent your home, business, or school from high levels of radon gas, keeping people safe and healthy.

While regular tests are smart, we want you to know the signs and symptoms that may mean radon levels are high in your home, business, or school. Some of these signs and symptoms include:

  • Persistent cough
  • Wheezing
  • Heavy breathing
  • Lung infections

These can also be very early signs of lung cancer, so if you experience these symptoms you should contact your doctor as soon as possible, as well as contacting us at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa so we can possibly rule out the possibility of radon gas. If we test your home for radon gas and the results come back positive we can install a mitigation system into your home, business, or school. This will dispel radon gas from your structure.

To learn more about our radon gas testing or our mitigation services, our service area, or to schedule a test, give us a call today. We here at Ameriserv Radon Mitigation of Iowa want to help you feel safe and healthy in your home, business, or school. Contact us today!

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.

 

 

 

 

Importance of Radon Mitigation

Radon Mitigation, Uncategorized

Radon Mitigation Iowa

Radon levels in many Iowa cities are higher than anywhere else in the country. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The average radon level outside is .4 pCi/L and theRadon mitigation Iowa, Radon Mitigation IA national average in a home is 1.5 pCi/L. The homes in Iowa have shown to have an even greater level than that national average. Radon enters the home through cracks, holes or any openings in your home. Because homes are usually closed up either because the air conditioner is on in the hot Iowa summers, or the furnace is on in the cold Iowa winders, radon has no where to go and builds up in the home. All homes should be checked for radon levels. AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Iowa can perform a quick, inexpensive radon test and find out what the level is in your home. Radon mitigation is a process that removes this harmful gas from your home. Our experts are licensed and insured for the entire state of Iowa. We are your radon mitigation Iowa specialists. Call today for a test of the radon level in your home.

Radon Mitigation IA

After AmeriServ Iowa Radon Mitigation tests your home for the radon level, we will Radon mitigation Iowa, Radon mitigation IAdetermine the best system to get this dangerous gas out of your home and keep you healthy. One way to do this is to drill a hole in your home’s foundation or slab, creating a suction point. A PCV pipe is connected through this hole and becomes a vent for the radon gas to escape. To keep a continuous flow, a fan is installed to this system. AmeriServ Radon Mitigation Iowa also has air purifier systems to keep bacteria, allergens, mold spores and anything else that pollutes your home out of your home. Our fully insured and licensed professionals will help you with your radon and air purifier needs. We have a 5 year warranty on our radon mitigation systems. Call today for one of our specialists to come and check your home for radon, give you the best solution, and give you peace of mind. We are your radon mitigation Iowa experts.