Marble Countertops Radiation

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.

Marble countertops radiation.

But marble manufacturers say flat out that radiation in granite is not dangerous. There are currently no regulations concerning granite countertops radon gas or radiation emissions. To find out if your granite or other stone countertops or anything else in the home is emitting radon gas you will need to call 1 800 sos radon 767 7236 to get your home tested. Identifying radiation in granite countertops identifying the presence and concentration of radioactive elements in each specific granite countertop requires sophisticated instruments.

Many homeowners are increasingly worried about the level of radiation they may be getting from their granite countertops. This concentration is less than. And note that the epa advises that all homes be tested for radon regardless of countertop material. Some granite countertops have dangerously high emissions of radiation particularly radon gas.

These instruments require proper calibration and a knowledge and trained user to interpret the results. If significant levels are found you ve got to do something about it to protect your family s health. Granite countertops and radon gas science and technical committee of the american association of radon scientists and technologists aarst august 4 2008 2 pages. You might even find it in the water.

Inhaling the accumulated radon could give rise to small degree of radiation. Here is a link for several studies from all over the world. Radon is a cancer causing natural radioactive gas that you can t see smell or taste the environmental. However keep in mind that avoiding granite countertops does not mean you avoid radiation or radon gas emissions in your home.

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. Assuming a relatively tight house with an air change rate of 0 5 per hour h 1 and using average measured dose rates from granite countertop slabs the estimated radon concentration in kitchen air would be 4 8 becquerels per cubic meter bq m 3. If you re interested in exotic granite or worried about your existing countertops testing for both radon and radiation makes sense.