Many homeowners are increasingly worried about the level of radiation they may be getting from their granite countertops.
Marble and granite radiation.
While natural rocks such as granite may emit radiation and radon gas the levels attributable to such sources are not typically high.
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.
November 2013 thanks to quick and forceful action by the marble institute of america and its legal team the doctor s show has retracted a show segment in which it reported that living in a home with granite countertops could be as bad as smoking a half package of cigarettes a day.
Granite is very popular as material for buildings and homes especially as kitchen countertops because of their beauty durability and function.
On checking with some of the quartz countertop companies i was informed that quartz does contain some radioactive materials.
If your home has a radon level of 4 picocuries per liter pci l of air or more you should take steps to fix your home and reduce the radon level.
Some granite countertops have dangerously high emissions of radiation particularly radon gas.
We have compiled a list of thoroughly vetted nationwide fabricators to help you with your project.
One of the top picks for us homeowners is granite because it is durable and beautiful as well as affordable.
Seven days after the report the doctors show.
Both granite and marble are naturally occurring materials that were formed millions of years ago similar to minerals.
These range from natural materials such as wood marble and granite to engineered products such as quartz stone.
Radiation from granite countertops.
Granite black crystal black.
However some articles have circulated that claim granite is a source of harmful radiation specifically radon.
Identifying radiation in granite countertops.
Marble white calcutta marble.
Search for the fabricators closest to you or contact us for a recommendation.
Identifying the presence and concentration of radioactive elements in each specific granite countertop requires sophisticated instruments.
But i have become aware that granite comprises quartz.
Use the radiation dose calculator to estimate your yearly dose from sources of ionizing radiation.
Due to my concern about the radiation that granite emits i decided to pursue quartz countertops.
The doctors show admits it erred in granite radon segment.
Here is a link for several studies from all over the world.
Radiation and radon are generally lower in marbles but both marble and granite has been studied for many years on these issues.