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The Truth about Radon/Radiation |
 Recent media reports have called into question the safety of granite countertops. Fueled by the manufacturers of competing synthetic products, these misleading and inaccurate reports have made granite and radon a confusing and emotional issue for consumers, many of whom are now concerned about installing granite countertops in their homes or are worried about the countertops they already have. The scope of these concerns is unfounded.
As two leading authorities on indoor environmental exposures, Dr. John McCarthy, of Environmental Health & Engineering, and Dr. John D. Spengler, of the Harvard School of Public Health, recently concluded: “A considerable amount of research has been published in peer-reviewed scientific literature and all of it comes to the same conclusion: the levels of radon coming off a granite countertop are not excessive and not showing any risk for the population in their homes.”
In fact, noted authorities on granite, radon and risk recently confirmed what independent scientific studies[1] conducted over the years have found: Granite countertops are not known to pose a health risk to consumers.
Numerous scientific studies conclude that there are two ways in which countertops, tiles and other finishes made of granite might emit any level of radiation. The first is by the release of tiny amounts of the radioactive gas, radon. The second is by direct radiation from the surface itself to the homeowner. In both cases, the radiation emitted is from the same process – natural radioactive decay of one element into another. Compared to other radiation sources in the home and outside, the risk to the homeowner from radioactivity or radon gas emitted from a granite countertop or tiles is practically non-existent. The U.S. EPA reports: “Based on existing studies, most types of granite used in countertops and other aspects of home construction are not typically known to be major contributors of radiation and radon in the average home.”[4]
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) goes a bit further with a recent statement: “Staff from the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Radiation Control and from DOH’s Radon Program have had the opportunity over the years to survey various granite samples for gamma emissions, including a few granite counter tops, and have yet to find granite thought to be a significant gamma radiation hazard. The term ‘significant’ is used because there was measurable gamma radiation from the granite as there is always around us, just not at level of concern.”[5]
Click here to download a complete copy of the Marble Institute Truth about Radon Brochure, or here to view the Truth about Radon video, or go to www.marble-institute.com for more information.
[1] Independent research studies include those cited above, as well as:
• Al-Jarallah MI, et al. 2005. Correlation between radon exhalation and radium content in granite samples used as construction materials in Saudi Arabia. Radiation Measurements, 40, 625-629.
• NCRP Report No. 95. 1987. Radiation exposure of the U.S. population from consumer products and miscellaneous sources. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. Bethesda, MD.
[2] US Environmental Protection Agency. 2007. “A Citizen’s Guide to Radon” US EPA 402-K-07-009.
[3] American Association of Radon Scientists & Technologists, August 2008, “Position Statement: Granite Countertops and Radon Gas”
[4] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2008. Are Granite Countertops Radioactive?
http://radiati on.custhelp.com/cgi bin/radiation.cfg/php/enduser/ std_adp.php?p_faqid=
5315&p_created=1217344512&p_sid=nr8v6tbj p_accessibility=0p_redirect=p_lva=530
9p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD0zLDMm
cF9wcm9kcz0xNjksMTg2JnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0yLjE4NiZwX2N2PSZwX 3NlYXJjaF90
eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX 25sJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=&p_topview=1
[5] Florida Department of Health. 2008. Radon – Radiation and Granite Counter Tops. http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/community/radon/granite.htm
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