It does pay to find out for sure if there are harmful levels of radioactive elements in your granite countertops.
Can granite countertops be radioactive.
Inhaling the accumulated radon could give rise to small degree of radiation.
Experts agree that most granite countertops emit some radon and even other types of radiation.
They have been raised periodically mostly by manufacturers and distributors of competing countertop materials as well as the manufacturers of radon detection devices.
Radiation from granite countertops.
After all there are always exceptions to the rule.
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.
Some granite countertops may emit radon.
In july 2008 news articles appearing in the new york times and the houston chronicle cast light upon a household toxin.
However keep in mind that avoiding granite countertops does not mean you avoid radiation or radon gas emissions in your home.
Can i test my granite countertops for radiation.
At this time a generally accepted radiation testing protocol for countertops does not exist and neither imported nor domestic granite products require radiation testing.
However allegations that granite countertops are radioactive and can emit radon gas are not new.
Radiation concentrations can only be measured using sophisticated portable instruments or with laboratory equipment.
Radon released from granite building materials can be released over the lifetime of use but typically will be diluted by ventilation.
The question is whether they do so at levels that can impact cancer risk.
Can granite countertops be radioactive.
In addition to radon naturally occurring radioactive elements in the granite can emit small amounts of beta and gamma radiation.
But the extent and significance of the problem is unknown.
It is relieving to hear that the radioactive levels in granite and marble are too small to be of any concern but all construction materials in general emit a small amount of radon gas which is radioactive and can easily accumulate in poorly ventilated buildings.