Radon Emission From Granite Countertops

So are granite countertops a real risk.

Radon emission from granite countertops.

Here are some frequently asked questions about radon and the risks associated with granite. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and is estimated to cause tens of thousands of lung cancer deaths in the u s. Granite as used by the countertop industry is a catch all name for rock countertops. Experts agree that most.

The reports were about granite countertops that contain radium which can emit radon a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. Radon originating from the soil beneath homes is a more common problem and a far larger public health risk than radon from granite building materials. You might even find it in the water. In most cases the noise is produced by two other naturally occurring elements.

At this time however epa does not believe. Regarding the question of radon in granite countertops the epa said some granite used for countertops may contribute variably to indoor radon levels. People love granite countertops though some may worry that it will emit radon a colorless odorless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of rocks and natural stones. Researchers currently studying the most commonly used granite in kitchen countertops have found that all the 55 samples they ve tested emit radon radiation at higher than background levels.

True granite as well as gneiss and schist are the rocks from which radon can be emitted. In fact up to 95 of the geiger counter clicks may come from the potassium. However keep in mind that avoiding granite countertops does not mean you avoid radiation or radon gas emissions in your home. Some granite countertops have been found to give off trace amounts of radon and reporters cited a few kitchens with radon levels as high as 25 times the epa s safety limit of 4 picocuries per liter of air.

While radon gas and radiation emission levels attributable to granite are not typically high there are simply too many variables to generalize about the potential health risks inside a particular home that has granite countertops. Not all the radiation coming from the granite that makes the clicking sound comes from radon producing radium. At issue is whether some granite countertops emit dangerous levels of radiation especially the gas radon which is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Granite is mined from the earth where radium and naturally occurring radioactive materials are not uncommon.

To reduce the risk of lung cancer from exposure to radon epa recommends testing all homes for radon and mitigating high levels regardless of whether the home contains granite countertops.