Does Your Granite Countertop Glow?

By: Jerry Clifford
Submitted: 2008-09-29 23:44:34
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

Safety concerns regarding granite countertops and their level of radon gas emitted has sparked a controversy since the 90's. However, the widespread use of granite in kitchen and bathrooms has sparked renewed interest in this old issue.

The New York Times recently published an article about N.J. resident Dr. Lynn Sugarman and her discovery of radiation levels in her granite countertop that were 10 times higher than anywhere else in her home. The stone contained high levels of radioactive uranium which releases radon gas as it decays. Would these gases have any possible damage to her health? Dr. Sugarman wasn't sure, but her concern prompted her to have all the granite counters removed.

What is radon?

As quoted from the Health Canada Guide, "Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless and tasteless. It is formed by the breakdown of uranium, a natural radioactive material found in soil, rock and groundwater. Radon escapes from the ground into the outdoor air. It is diluted to low concentrations and is not a concern. However, radon that enters an enclosed space, such as a home, can sometimes accumulate to high levels. Radon breaks down to form additional radioactive particles called “progeny” that can contaminate the air you breathe."

So what is the risk and how much is too much?

Radon is a cancer-causing gas and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Radon is measured in units called picocuries per liter (pCi/L). A picocurie is one trillionth (10 -12) of a curie, which is the amount of radioactivity emitted by a gram of radium. The EPA has determined that 4pCi/L is a safe standard for indoor air and action should be taken for any levels above that. The granite countertop in Dr. Sugarman's kitchen emitted radon readings of 100pCi/L.

Are all types of granite at risk?

Higher test results are showing up in the more exotic types of granite such as Brazilian, and the brighter pink, red and purple colored stone. There is no rule of thumb; however, if you are concerned, all types should be tested.

Not everyone agrees that this is a problem. The Marble Institute of America has issued a report that challenges these results and suggests that a piece of granite emitting such high radon readings would be too porous to make into a countertop or stand up to the finishing process.

Nevertheless, just as with the mold scare a few years back, the lawsuits challenging the safety of granite countertops are beginning to roll in. The fact that lawyers are advertising on the Internet for potential clients is certainly feeding the frenzy. Ernest Chiodo, a Detroit physician and lawyer, feels that some of the cases are legitimate, but many are not. Besides, there are plenty of other more serious hazards to be had in the average kitchen. In his words, "To put it in perspective, drinking from BPA-coated bottles while sitting on your granite countertops for a few hundred thousand years increases your risk of death about as much as eating just one raw oyster."

Jerry Clifford has received the prestigious 100% Club award for his success as a real estate agent in the Minneapolis real estate area. He is certified as an ePRO and prides himself on attention to detail. If you need help in your search for Minneapolis Southwest real estate, visit JerryClifford.com.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Home & Family category

  • An Excellent Online Baby Book for Your Child: BabyChapters.com - By: Christina Roberts
    Every baby deserves a well-made baby book. Doing your baby book online is a smart and easy way. You can store precious memories of your baby's first steps. And, you can share them easily with family and friends, even with those living far away (e.g., grandparents).
  • Go AWAY... Please? Dealing with Door-to-Door Annoyances - By: Ted Guarnero
    "Sorry, I'm not interested in your vacuum cleaners/moldy chocolate/Pastafarianism" can be all the hint they need that you aren't interested and nothing they say will cause this to change. Start by being nice; if you're new to the neighborhood, you don't know if you'll be meeting these people at your next block party, so it pays to start with kindness.
  • Home brewing kits - great holiday gifts! - By: Bill Stewart
    Are you always searching for a special gift for that person who seems to have everything? I would bet that they don't have a home brewing system of their own! If you can give the gift of creating something to someone, a home brewing kit is going to be something that will be laughed about and used for weeks and months to come.
  • How to Feng Shui your Bedroom - 5 Basic Feng Shui Bedroom Tips - By: Mei Wong
    Want to bring wealth and prosperity into your life? How about good health and longetivity? This article covers the basic feng shui bedroom tips needed so that you can start attracting positive energy into your bedroom and life.
  • How to be a Domestic Goddess - By: Victoria Cochrane
    With the Brits working longer hours than anyone else in Europe, it's no wonder we're time poor. So how can women juggle work, home and family life and still manage to feel like domestic goddesses?
  • Turn Your Yard Into a Winter Wonderland - By: Jerry Clifford
    You've tended your gardens all summer long and enjoyed the bright colors and fragrant blooms that resulted from your work. Now that winter is coming, don't stop there; you can continue to have a stunning landscape throughout the cooler months.
  • Finding the Website Perfect for Your Children - By: John Webb
    Best kids website giving total Entertainment to kids subscribes play games, watch videos, safe chat rooms, share knowledge, upload pictures and many more.
  • How to Treat Dog Diarrhea - By: Berry Johnson
    Diarrhea is one of the most common problems affecting dogs and is the reason behind a significant percentage of visits to veterinary clinics. Naturally, it can be concerning for pet owners when their canine companion is suffering from diarrhea, whether just for a short duration or over an extended period of time. While most cases of dog diarrhea are not serious and will resolve without requiring veterinary care, the problem can be unpleasant for both the dog and its owners so it's important to know what to do when your four-legged friend is suffering from diarrhea.
  • Halloween at Home - By: Paul McIndoe
    Ghosts and ghouls and all things spooky; Halloween is a holiday celebrated in many countries across the world with everyone having their own take on how to decorate their home for this extra specially spine chilling time of year.
  • Wildfire Protection Plan - By: Mike Taylor
    The recent surge of wildfires in California has started people thinking about what they would do in the event of a wildfire. If you live in a high-risk area, how can you prevent something like this from happening? If you can't prevent it, how can you protect yourself and minimize the property damage?