Tag Archives: radon in schools

Even Kids get that Radon is Dangerous

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/

Radon in Iowa Schools – The Latest News

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.