Marble Countertops Radiation

Radiation and radon are generally lower in marbles but both marble and granite has been studied for many years on these issues.

Marble countertops radiation. However keep in mind that avoiding granite countertops does not mean you avoid radiation or radon gas emissions in your home. Many homeowners are increasingly worried about the level of radiation they may be getting from their granite countertops. You might even find it in the water. If significant levels are found you ve got to do something about it to protect your family s health.

Some granite countertops have dangerously high emissions of radiation particularly radon gas. There are currently no regulations concerning granite countertops radon gas or radiation emissions. Granite is very popular as material for buildings and homes especially as kitchen countertops because of their beauty durability and function. 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.

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. Here is a link for several studies from all over the world. Identifying radiation in granite countertops identifying the presence and concentration of radioactive elements in each specific granite countertop requires sophisticated instruments. This concentration is less than.

If you re interested in exotic granite or worried about your existing countertops testing for both radon and radiation makes sense. And note that the epa advises that all homes be tested for radon regardless of countertop material. Radiation from granite countertops. Radon is a cancer causing natural radioactive gas that you can t see smell or taste the environmental.

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. To find out if your granite or other stone countertops or anything else in the home is emitting radon gas you will need to call 1 800 sos radon 767 7236 to get your home tested. These instruments require proper calibration and a knowledge and trained user to interpret the results.