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RADON in YOUR kitchen?? 

Before you consider removing your granite countertops...
Ease Your Mind - Become Informed!!    

Demand for granite in home building has increased 5% annually for each of the 5 years preceding 2008. Things have been stirred up lately with some reports in the media that granite used in countertops is emitting radon. Some are said to contain high levels of uranium.  It was announced on the CBS Early Morning Show that radioactivity might be lurking inside homeowners' granite countertops, although the chances were one in a million. As many as 1600 varieties of granite from 64 countries around the world from are sold for household use in the US.

While granite and other natural stones may contain minute traces of radon, in terms of building materials, concrete, cement and gypsum should be of greater concern. “ Radon is a naturally occurring gas generated by the decay of trace amounts of uranium found in the earth's crust.“ It is an unstable gas that quickly breaks down and dissipates in the air.

Other reports remind us that the allegations that granite countertops may emit dangerous levels of radiation have been raised periodically over the past decade, mostly by makers and distributers of competing countertop materials.  Although granite is known to contain uranium and other radioactive material like thorium and potassium, it is the belief of some that the amounts are not enough to pose a threat.  Some people have gone so far as to tear out their granite counters, but did they test to see if radon is being emitted? If you  have granite countertops, you can consider testing them for the amount of radon they give off. It is fairly easy and inexpensive to test it yourself with the proper test kit. 

Marble manufactures say flat out that radon in granite is not dangerous. Indeed health physicists and radiation experts agree that most granite countertops emit radiation and radon at extremely low levels, and the levels are insignificant compared to background radiation from space, the earth's crust, x-rays, luminous watches and smoke detectors. Although the alarm bells are being sounded on this matter, according to the NY times, it’s not all granite that is emitting radon.

On July 28, 2008 the Environmental Protection  Agency confirmed that there was no credible evidence existing to suggest  that granite countertops pose any safety threat. The agency stated, "the EPA has no reliable data to conclude that the type of granite used in countertops is significantly increasing radon levels in homes". 

The most important contributor to indoor radon comes from soil adjacent to the home's foundation. It comes in through cracks or gaps in the house or basement floors and walls. There is no way to avoid radiation exposure completely. It is not possible to radon proof your house , but it is possible to reduce its level.

submitted by:  Brian Smith