However in some instances tests have found that granite countertops give off potentially dangerous levels of radiation.
Brazil granite radon.
The origins of these concerns are advertisements and other communications from the manufacturers of radon detection devices and the manufacturers of competing synthetic countertop materials.
The us epa recommends taking corrective measures for radon levels at or above 4 pci l the us epa encourages you to consider reducing your radon levels for readings between 2 and 4.
Granites can be black gray pink or red depending on the colors of the constituent minerals.
To reduce the risk of lung cancer from exposure to radon.
Some granite and other natural stones contains trace amounts of uranium.
Color and uranium content.
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.
I have heard stories of brazilian granite being.
At most only a tiny percentage of them have been tested for radon or radiation levels but a recent test of 13 types of granite typically used for countertops found no radon or very low levels of.
Ok so the risk from granite is minuscule but how common is radon in u s.
Given that soil and rock slowly and naturally emit radon gas some sought.
If it emits radon it typically does so at very low levels.
They are heavy expensive and cost a lot to ship.
The health physics society after testing several samples of commercial granite concluded that the radon produced by a typical granite countertop would be about 30 times lower than the level laid out in the epa guidelines.
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.
The epa says that approximately one of every 15 homes throughout the country whether new or old has elevated radon levels.
April 2014 in order to extract the beautiful granite rock that adorns so many countertops floors and building facades in the united states skilled quarry workers must saw or blast the raw granite into blocks to remove it from the quarry location for further fabrication.
Granite countertops and radon gas science and technical committee of the american association of radon scientists and technologists aarst august 4 2008 2 pages.
There are currently no regulations concerning granite countertops radon gas or radiation emissions.
Radon that originates in the soil is the main cause of radon problems the epa says.
This is not the only method for measuring the amount of radon coming from the granite but it is the most economical.
I have a lot of issues with granite countertops the cherry on top of the mcmansion sundae.