The question is whether they do so at levels that can impact cancer risk.
Can granite countertops be radioactive.
Can granite countertops be radioactive.
However allegations that granite countertops are radioactive and can emit radon gas are not new.
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.
But the extent and significance of the problem is unknown.
Can i test my granite countertops for radiation.
The lowdown on granite radiation.
Radiation concentrations can only be measured using sophisticated portable instruments or with laboratory equipment.
Experts agree that most granite countertops emit some radon and even other types of radiation.
It is relieving to hear that the radioactive levels in granite and marble are too small to be of any concern but all construction materials in general emit a small amount of radon gas which is radioactive and can easily accumulate in poorly ventilated buildings.
Radon released from granite building materials can be released over the lifetime of use but typically will be diluted by ventilation.
At this time a generally accepted radiation testing protocol for countertops does not exist and neither imported nor domestic granite products require radiation testing.
After all there are always exceptions to the rule.
Inhaling the accumulated radon could give rise to small degree of radiation.
However keep in mind that avoiding granite countertops does not mean you avoid radiation or radon gas emissions in your home.
In july 2008 news articles appearing in the new york times and the houston chronicle cast light upon a household toxin.
In addition to radon naturally occurring radioactive elements in the granite can emit small amounts of beta and gamma radiation.
They have been raised periodically mostly by manufacturers and distributors of competing countertop materials as well as the manufacturers of radon detection devices.
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.
Some granite countertops may emit radon.