Does Your Granite Countertop Glow?

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."