http://www.care2.com/greenliving/granite-countertops-are-radon-hot.html
Granite Countertops are Radon Hot
I knew it! OK, I didn’t really know it in the sense of knowing it. But I definitely knew there was something really bad about granite and now I know what.
You might remember a previous blog I wrote about granite kitchen and bathroom countertops, the gist of which was basically that they don’t rock. My main points were that they are a completely non-renewable resource and that mining is detrimental to the Earth. But underlying this point was a feeling that perhaps this granite craze could reap some karmic retribution.
And as you might know, granite is very popular. Apparently, everyone loves it, wants it, has got to have it. I can do without it, myself, thank you very much. I am even known to rant about it on occasion. So this morning, I find this story from the New York Times in my e-mail box: What’s Lurking in Your Countertops?
Ah-ha! Apparently, according to this NYT article, some granite countertops have been found to contain high levels of uranium, which is not only radioactive but releases radon gas as it decays.
In the past 10 years, as granite has gotten more and more trendy, demand has increased tenfold and to keep up with this demand there are 10 times as many kinds of granite available. The article says that with increased sales volume and variety, there have been more reports of “hot” or potentially hazardous countertops.
So not all granite countertops are dangerous, according to radiation expert Stanley Liebert. “But I’ve seen a few that might heat up your Cheerios a little,” he adds.
I don’t know about you, but I prefer my morning cereal nice and chilly. And I prefer my countertops made of renewable resources that aren’t radioactive. Bamboo, recycled glass or aluminum tiles–it’s all good. And it’s not radioactive. Healthy, and green. That’s what it’s all about.
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17 comments
add your comment »Come on I think this is nonsense, granite countertops can't be hot. I would never believe it!
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There's absolutely nothing wrong with granite countertops> guys, it was proven already with many tests
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With so many other options granite's popularity is waning. The price of granite is about the same as other counter options (except maybe laminate and Formica which is probably not very environmentally friendly). We have granite. The Silestone appealed to me but budget limited our options.
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With so many other options granite's popularity is waning. The price of granite is about the same as other counter options (except maybe laminate and Formica which is probably not very environmentally friendly). We have granite. The Silestone appealed to me but budget limited our options.
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thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner,Prefabrik
mega kabin
Konteyner
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Hmm,maybe that's why the wealthy people seem to be getting dumber and more irrational all the time.They're brains are being destroyed by decaying radiation...
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the more you know the safer you can build a home.. I still vote for straw bale homes, soil crete floors and tile countertops...
Green, simple, strong, cheap, renewable, sustainable.
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Here is the latest info on our Radon test, 18 square feet of granite in a 96 square foot room, 10 pCi/L so far, about like smoking 1 1/2 packs a day.
http://forum.solidsurfacealliance.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=56
http://forum.solidsurfacealliance.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=98
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I see the granite countertop shops have found this article and are buys misleading consumers as usual.
Let's correct some of the worst statements.
There is not a lot of Radon coming from drywall or concrete unless high radiation phosphates were used to make the products. Very rare except for some concretes. This claim is just an attempt to minimize the granite problem with Radon. An air purifier might keep the Radon daughters from plating you home as much, but they won't catch all of it, not even a small percentage of it. It will fall to the floor, attach to dust particles and be breathedin, or wind up on clothing and even people.
The B.S. about granite being exposed to air is so funny. That is such an ignorant arguement, one started by the boys at NSRA, a granite repair site. Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium, when it hits the Radium element, the next decay turns it into Radon. Radon will continue to emanate from your granite countertop for the next billion years or so, maybe longer.
And really, bringing in another "risk" as kooky as floridated water? Just shows they have nothing else to use.
Then another "radon in drywall" post. Sorry, the average granite is around 12 to 16 uR/hr, most concrete is around 5 uR/hr or less, and most drywall won't measure past the normal background radiation levels (3 uR/hr in our location).
Tara's comment on decay got me to wiping my eyes in laughter. Why someone that is so ignorant of the facts atte
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Theres more radon in the air we breath and water we drink, than what you'd ever find eminating from a thin slab of rock. Theres even way more in sheetrock and your concrete that can escape into your house air. Get a good air purifier at ionicairsystems.com and air out your house often
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