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4 Responses to “Is the Radiation in Granite Countertops Dangerous?”

1. Tiffany Daniels on July 29th, 2008 at 6:17 pm

   We understand why homeowners would be alarmed by this story, but the Marble Institute of America would like to assure people that research shows granite countertops pose no threat. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Consumer Reports and repeated independent studies have shown granite countertops pose no health hazard.
   –EPA stated Friday: “EPA has no reliable data to conclude that types of granite used in countertops are significantly increasing indoor radon levels.” (http://iaq.custhelp.com/cgibin/iaq.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php)
   –University of Akron researchers found no threat. (www.marble-institute.com/industryresources/radontesting_u-akron2008.pdf
   –An independent scientific analysis of a variety of studies shows that, accounting for normal airflow in the typical home, radon contributed by granite countertops ranges from 0.01 – 0.02 pCi/L – levels that are 200 to 400 times lower than the EPA guideline of 4 pCi/L.

   By some measures, the amount of radon emitted by a granite countertop is less than one millionth of that already present in household air from other sources. Many granite countertops do not emit radon at all, and those treated with sealant reduce emissions even further.

   Tiffany Daniels
   Cohn & Wolfe on behalf of the Marble Institute of America

2. Al Gerhart on September 24th, 2008 at 11:00 pm

   Ahh, Cohn & Wolfe, the famous big tobacco PR firm, how appropriate.

   Let’s poke some holes in Tiffany’s work.

   The EPA reversed their opinions on this subject when they found out how hot some of these granite slabs were. They now say that they really don’t know much about this, but are looking into it.

   University of Akron study, well, Tiffiany, would that be the one that the Marble Institute paid for? Why did you not mention that? Was it published? No? Oh, well then, it isn’t a true study then, is it?

   But wait, you quote it in the next paragraph as an “independent” study and say that the levels found were 200 to 400 times less than the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L. Geez Tiff, can I call you Tiff? The Akron study found Crema Bordeaux at .27 pCi/L, and they had to struggle to keep it that low, but let’s use their figure. Now the EPA action level is 4, so .27 is about 14 times lower. What happened to the 200 to 400 times lower business?

   Hey, I bet cigarette smoke is good for you as well.

   Oh, one more thing, Tiff. You say that the Radon from a granite countertop is one millionth times less that the already present Radon. Well, that would be an average of 1.3 pCi/L acording to the EPA, and the Crema Bordeaux was .27, making it about 4.8 times less. Gee, I thought it was a million times less?

   By the way, at the AARST convention last week, they started Radon measuring protocols for granite countertops, had two panel discussions on what to do, and there were four papers presented on this very subject with as much as 24 pCi/L found in example kitchens in one study. The CRCPD, an association of state radiation officials, took on the radiation aspects of this issue and is setting up protocols and maxuimum allowed levels.

   It is so ridiculous when these PR firms think they can come online and just lie and get away with it. Go back to killing kids with cigarettes.

3. Al Gerhart on December 21st, 2008 at 4:54 pm

   We are conducting a full scale Radon test, 18 square foot of granite in an 8 x 8 x 12′ room. Maxium level so far is a bit over 10 pCi/L, the equivalent to smoking 1 1/2 packs a day. Here is a link to the test results and more info on the risks.

   http://forum.solidsurfacealliance.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=98

4. Granite on January 30th, 2009 at 12:07 pm

   Very interesting post you wrote. Glad I have stumbled upon it. Cheers!

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