Tag Archives: radon exposure

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 Testing: Kit or Professional?

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Best Options for Radon Testing in Iowa

Radon levels in Iowa are dangerously high: research has found that five out of seven homes in Iowa contain an elevated level of radon. This naturally produced gas comes from the decay of uranium and radium in many different kinds of rocks. These rocks are located all over the state, making it common for radon to seep radon into the soil around your home. If the radon in this soil is allowed to enter your home through foundation cracks; exposed soil in the crawlspace; gaps and spaces between the walls, floor, doors, and windows; or through well water, it could pose a significant threat to the health of you and your family. Second only to smoking, radon is one of the most common causes of lung cancer. Do not take any chances. Have your home tested for radon immediately.

Solutions for Radon Exposure in Iowa Homes by Ameriserv

There are a couple of different ways to determine whether the levels of radon in your home are dangerously high. Radon levels above 4 pCi/L are considered dangerous, and steps should be taken to reduce radon if such a high concentration is found in your home. The best options for testing radon levels in your Iowa home are:

  • Home Radon Testing Kits: These DIY radon test kits are an easy and inexpensive option that can be used if you want to see if radon is a problem in your home. The kits usually cost around $9 –  $40. To use these kits, you need to ensure that all windows and doors are closed, and put the detector somewhere in your home where it can remain without disturbance for 48 to 96 hours. After following the directions with the kit, you will most likely have to send the detector to a lab an await results.
  • Professional Short-Term Testing: Professional testing is a good option if you want more reliable results, or if you are going to be selling your home. This test usually takes around 2-7 days, but could remain in your home up to 90 days. Short-term tests use one of many radon detecting devices to monitor radon levels over a short period of time, giving you an idea of the average radon levels in your home. It is best to use a variety of testing methods to be sure about the results.
  • Professional Long-Term Testing: Long-term testing methods use devices that stay in your home for over 90 days. Long-term tests are able to more accurately show you the average, year-round radon levels in your home. If you used a DIY radon kit, or had a short-term test done in your home and found elevated radon levels, consider following up with a long-term test.

While DIY radon kits can give you a good idea of the radon levels in your home, it is recommended to follow up and positive DIY tests with a professional radon test. Short-term test that show elevated radon levels should be followed by either a long-term test or another short-term test; if radon levels in your home are indicated to be significantly higher than the 4 pCi/L, have another short-term test done immediately to determine the best solution as soon as possible. If you are in the process of selling your home, it is especially important to have professional radon tests done, as the benefits of radon testing may help improve the appeal of your home.

What to do if Radon Exposure is High in Your Iowa Home

If the DIY tests show a high concentration of radon in your home, you should have a professional radon mitigation specialist visit the home right way. The team at Ameriserv is dedicated to removing dangerous radon from your home to ensure the safety of you and your family. We will help determine where the radon is entering the home and install a radon mitigation system that is customized to your home. Common radon mitigation techniques involve drilling a hole in the slab for radon to escape the home, and using fans and PVC ventilation systems to collect radon in the air and channel it out and away from the home.

Contact Ameriserv for more information today. We are happy to provide the residents of Iowa with our professional radon mitigation and testing services.

Can Energy Efficiency Mean a Higher Chance of Radon in Your Iowa Home?

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Making your Iowa Home Energy Efficient Could Pose Radon Health Risks

Solutions for High Radon Levels in Energy Efficient Iowa Homes by AmeriservIn today’s world, homeowners seek to save as much money as possible while keeping their homes environmentally friendly. Reducing ventilation is one common way that this is done in homes. By sealing the home securely and ensuring that there are no gaps or cracks in the walls, the homeowners will significantly reduce the workload for the heating and cooling systems in the home. Not only does this lower the cost of the homeowner’s energy bills, but it is also a very “green” solution, since the less work the heater and air conditioner have to do, the less overall resources will be necessary to keep the home comfortable for the family.

There is, however, a drawback to having a home with little to no ventilation; the lack of ventilation in a home could lead to an increase in pollutants that enter the home from the soil beneath. One of the more common of these pollutants is radon, a colorless, odorless gas that is responsible for thousands of lung cancer related deaths throughout the country. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, the first being smoking. If you or a family member is exposed to a elevated amounts of radon., the results could be tragic.

There are many different ways that radon can enter your home:

  • Leakage: If your home has cracks in the foundation, gaps in walls or floors, or loose fitting pipe joints, radon could leak into the home through these spaces.
  • Exposed Soil: Because radon seeps into the home from the soil underneath, it is vital to make sure that there is no exposed soil in your home’s crawlspace or around the sump pump.
  • Water Supply: If you have well water in your home, you may be at risk of radon exposure, as the water may carry radon from the ground into your home.

One way to reduce radon in your home is to use ventilation systems to give the radon a way to escape. Without this, the radon could remain trapped in your home, building up a higher and higher concentration. This is why it is important to make sure that your home is equipped with a proper radon mitigation system.

How to Reduce Radon in You Energy Efficient Home

Investing in a radon mitigation system from Ameriserv radon could greatly reduce the dangers that energy efficient homes often produce. If you are afraid that your home contains high radon levels, do not hesitate to get in touch with a professional right away. There a just a few simple steps that you need to take to keep your home safe from the dangers of radon:

  • Contact a professional radon mitigation expert
  • Have your home tested for radon levels
  • Invest in a radon mitigation system to remove radon
  • Take preventative measures to keep radon out in the future

We can take care of the radon in your home in no time. There are a couple different types of radon testing that can be done to determine whether or not your home contains a high level of radon. The first testing method, short term testing, involves using charcoal canisters, electret ion chambers, continuous monitors, and liquid scintillation to determine the radon levels in your home. These test are normally completed in around 2-7 days. Long term tests can take 90 days or more, and use electret detectors or alpha track detectors to monitor the average radon levels in your home.

Once testing is completed, we can use radon mitigation techniques such as suction points in the slab, PVC ventilation systems, and fans to reduce the buildup of radon in your home. If you live in Iowa and are in search of a solution for the radon in your home, contact us as soon as possible.

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.