Granite Counters and Radon

Long before HGTV and the Cooking Channel began to broadcast elaborate kitchens filled with stainless steel and granite counters, such materials were available exclusively to the upper crust of society. The reasons included that the material was expensive, difficult to import, vulnerable to breakage in transport, and required specific craftsmen to fabricate. Once those barriers were reduced, elaborate countertops quickly showed up on the wish lists of every homeowner. Right in the midst of stone countertops gaining mass adoption numerous articles and television stories were broadcast associating granite with radon. Radon is a chemical element that is responsible for indoor air contamination and is the second most frequent cause of lung cancer.

The immediate reaction during this time resulted in a sharp drop off in the sales of granite counters. It seems extreme in hindsight, but many homeowners even considered the possibility of ripping out their beautiful granite countertops and replacing them with lesser materials. Why the panic over radon? Radon is a radioactive, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that occurs naturally as the decaying by product of uranium. It is considered to be a health hazard because of its radioactivity. Radon is considered to be the number one contributor to an individual's radiation dose. Although the amount varies from location to location, radon gas can and does accumulate in buildings. The highest counts are typically found in basements, attics, and pockets of structures. Studies have shown that exposure to radon reduces the human body's auto immune system. So, it's no wonder that people were in panic as television reporters debated the possible link between radon gas and granite counters.

The debate raged between health experts and industry experts hired by manufacturers, granite quarries, and fabricators. As the panic settled, it was accepted that the levels of radon and radiation found in granite counters is extremely low. These emissions were found to be insignificant relative to background radiation. Background radiation is constantly in our outdoor environment as they occur naturally in our ecosystems. Studies showed that granite tops generally emitted significantly less radon than was found in outdoor environments. The one unusual finding was that radon levels were higher in granite materials with red, pink, and purple colors. Even with that finding, there was a lack of consistency from batch to batch so it could not be accepted as a general governing rule.

Really the only way for a consumer or homeowner to determine if the granite counters found in their home posed a danger is to test it. Testing can be done with a radon test kit or by hiring a professional. The kits are inexpensive and are typically available in home centers, hardware stores, or numerous websites. Certified radon testing companies are privately certified and will typically be found on state sponsored lists. Regardless, most homeowners will find that their beautiful countertops are harmless and that they can resume their daily lives without living in fear. Our homes are a sanctuary for us and the last thing we want to think is that our private sanctuary is harming our families in any sense.