Tag Archives: 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

 

 

 

 

Why are Radon Levels so High in Des Moines

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Radon Levels in Des Moines

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
radon levels in Des MoinesIowa  has the highest average levels of radon in the nation. Iowa falls into the EPA radon red zone, which means every county has an average indoor radon screening higher than the 4.0 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L). Also, 70 percent of the homes statewide fall inside the EPA’s danger zone. This includes homes in Des Moines.

Radon is formed naturally by the decaying process of uranium and radium, both of which is found in many rocks. Many thousands of years ago, glaciers moved and carried rocks from what is now Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario to Iowa. The glacier’s movement pulverized the rocks into small chunks, increasing the surface area of the once whole rock. Over time with rain, freeze-thaw, plant roots, and exposure to oxygen these rocks were pulverized, increasing their porosity which allows more opportunity for radon to escape into the soil, air, and water. Radon is a odorless, colorless, and and tasteless gas and enters homes through cracks in foundations and walls.

When radon enters building, it becomes trapped and it accumulates in the lowest level, usually the basement. Breathing in this radioactive gas over a long period of time can cause lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. You could be sitting in a home with a low level or a high level and you wouldn’t know the difference.

Most people find out about the dangers of radon during a housing transaction because real estate agents must provide buyers with an “Iowa Radon Home-Buyers and Sellers Fact Sheet.” It is up to the buyer to request that an inspector test for radon.

The primary source of high levels of radon comes from the soil below and surrounding the home. It gets into your home because warm air rises, creating a vacuum in the lower areas and moves through and into the home as air moves from higher pressure in the soil to lower pressure in the home.

AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa can test your home for radon levels using either short-term testing or long-term testing methods. The short-term testing method is used when the results need to be determined quickly, such as when there is a real estate transaction. The long-term method will last 90 days or more. The long-term method will give a better idea of the year round average of the radon levels in your home.

If levels are found to be high, AmeriServ can do radon mitigation which removes the radon from your home to the outside. This is done by drilling a hole in your foundation which creates a suction point. Then a PVC pipe connects through this hole to use as a vent for the radon gas. Then a fan is connected to ensure the air flow is in the right direction. After installation of this system, we will come back and check to make sure the radon level has come down.

Because you life in Iowa where the entire state is in the EPA red zone for radon, it is important to get your home tested for radon and get it taken care of as soon as possible. The longer you breath in air that has high radon levels, the more danger you are in. Don’t let this colorless, odorless, tasteless gas become the source of a health issue. It can be taken care of easily and inexpensively. Call the experts at AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa today and get your home tested.

We are licensed and certified specialists that were trained professionally by the State of Iowa and certified by the Iowa Department of public Health. Our services include a 5 year warranty on radon mitigation systems. We will make sure that your system is designed to meet your needs. Contact us today and get your radon levels tested!

 

 

 

 

Everything You Need to Know About Radon

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What is Radon?

Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. It forms What to know about radonnaturally from the decay of uranium that is found in rock, soil, and water. Once it is produced, radon moves from the ground into the air. Some of it remains below the surface and dissolves in the water that flows underground.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, only second to smoking. When it moves up through the ground to the air above, it can get into your home through:

  • Cracks in floors
  • Cracks in foundation
  • Construction joints
  • Gaps in floors
  • Gaps around pipes

Once it is inside your home, it builds up and becomes trapped. Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get into your lungs from the air you breathe. As they keep breaking down, the particles release small bursts of energy which can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer. Breathing radon does not cause any of the short-term effects such as shortness of breath, coughing, headaches or fever.

Radon Testing

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that the action level for radon is 4 pCi/L. However, any level of exposure is unsafe. Since there are no warning signs that you have a build-up of radon in your home, testing is the only way to know if you are at risk. Testing is inexpensive and only takes a few minutes.

AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa does both short-term testing and long-term testing. Short-term testing is the quickest was to detect radon. This is done when the results need to be determined quickly such as in a real estate transaction. The methods of doing this are:

  • charcoal canisters
  • electret chamber
  • continuous monitors
  • liquid scintillation

Radon levels change on a day-to-day basis and season to season. By doing long term testing which lasts 90 days or more, you will get a more accurate idea of what the year round average of the radon level is in your home. We use electret detectors or alpha track detectors for long term testing.

The electret detectors have a Teflon disc that is statically charged. When an ion generated from radon decay strikes the Teflon disc, the electrical charge is reduced and in the laboratory, the charge reduction is measured and the radon level calculated.

The alpha track detectors have a plastic film that gets etched by alpha particles that strike it. In the laboratory, the plastic is chemically treated to make the tracks visible then the tracks are counted.

If a level of 4 pCi/L is detected, immediately action needs to be taken to reduce the level. pCi/L means picocuries per liter. The lower the number the better, but any level of radon can be dangerous. If your home if found to have radon, AmeriServe Radon Mitigation of Iowa can help.

Prevent Radon from Entering your Home

When you have had your home tested and need to get the Radon mitigation in Iowaradon level reduced, AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa can perform radon mitigation.

Radon mitigation is the process of removing radon from your home to the outside. A hole is drilled into your foundation or slab, which creates a suction point. then we use a PVC pipe connected through this hole to use as a vent for the radon gas. Then a fan is connected to this system so that the air flows in the right direction.

Lowering high radon levels requires an expert with the technical knowledge and equipment to handle the job. AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa has the experts that are licensed and certified who can test and reduce the radon in your home. They are professionally trained by the State of Iowa and certified by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

We will test your home again after mitigation to be sure that the radon levels have been reduced. Our services include a 5 year warranty on the mitigation systems.

The risks of living with radon can be high. There is more to know about the risks of radon and cancer than most other cancer-causing substances. We know more about this because these risks are based on studies of cancer in underground miners.

The risk to your health from radon depends on how much radon is in your home and the amount of time you spend in your home. If you have not had your home tested for radon, don’t hesitate. The sooner it gets tested and the sooner the radon level gets reduced, the safer you will be.

Radon can be present in all types of homes.  Construction material and the location are all factors that can affect radon levels. If your home tests high for radon, AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa will perform professional radon mitigation at an affordable rate.

Buying A Home, Real Estate and Radon

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Sold Home For Sale Sign in Front of New HouseWhat types of homes have radon? Radon can be present in all types of homes: old  homes, new homes, homes with a basement, homes without a basement, well-insulated homes, and drafty homes.  In fact, construction material and  the location are factors that can affect radon levels. Radon is not a problem in certain parts of the country. Homes with radon have been found in every state. Unfortunately, it is all around us. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium and soil. It is invisible and  odorless. Buying a home, real estate and radon can be a concern for families. AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa, can make your home a healthy and safe place in Iowa.

If you are selling a home, test your home before you put in on the market. Make sure the test is done correctly. Save the test results and  follow the steps to fix the problems. This could be a selling advantage when trying to sell your home.

If you are buying a home, know if there is radon in your home before you decide to buy the home. Ask the seller for radon test results. If the home has not been tested, you should get the house tested.

What can you do as a real estate agent and radon? If you are a good real estate agent, knowing real estate and radon testing can be beneficial to your clients. Your  clients will trust you and be willing to share concerns about radon in  the home that they are buying. Real estate agents can start performing a radon test as prior to selling a home. Make sure the radon levels are lower  than  4 pCi/L. If the levels are higher, inform the client and recommend  installing a radon mitigation Iowa system. Educate your client the dangers of  radon gas. Radon causes lung cancer deaths each year. It is a natural  form of radiation that seeps into your home and becomes an indoor air  hazard that is dangerous for your family.

If your home is being built, ask if radon-resistant construction were  used. These techniques may help lower moisture levels and soil gases.  Building radon-resistant features during construction are cheaper than  fixing a radon problem. Also, your home will be more energy efficient.  Radon-resistant features can vary because of different foundation and  site requirements, like using plastic sheeting seams and caulking. Find  out if the builder is using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations.

If your home has not been tested yet, get it immediately. Test it in the  lowest level of the home that is used on a regular basis. The radon test  is very essential because some states require radon measurements that  testers have to follow. Radon levels can vary from one home to the next. The best way for you to know is to schedule an appointment to test your home. Call  AmeriServ Radon Mitigation of Iowa, if you are buying a home with radon so you can protect your family in Iowa.