Can Granite Cause Radon

Radon originating from the soil beneath homes is a more common problem and a far larger public health risk than radon from granite building materials.

Can granite cause radon.

In the united states radon gas in soils is the principal source of elevated radon levels in homes. In the united states radon gas in soils is the principal source of elevated radon levels in homes. In a small number of homes the building materials e g granite and certain concrete products can give off radon although building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves. That s really no joke.

Some quarries are producing relatively radioactive granite and quartzite slabs and tile. Pointing the finger at granite countertops as the source of radon gas is dangerous as it may cause you to overlook other more dangerous sources of it such as the soil or water around 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. The reports were about granite countertops that contain radium which can emit radon a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer.

Some granite countertops have been found to give off trace amounts of radon and reporters cited a few kitchens with radon levels as high as 25 times the epa s safety limit of 4 picocuries per liter. In a small number of homes the building materials e g granite and certain concrete products can give off radon although building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and is estimated to cause tens of thousands of lung cancer deaths in the u s. To put that in perspective it would take only 53 days of radon related deaths to reach the death toll from 911.

The answer is yes.