Radon from Granite Countertops?

The New York Times today published an article, “What’s Lurking in Your Countertop?,” about the possibility of radon emissions from granite countertops.

Here’s what I wrote about the issue in Good Green Kitchens:

Radon and Stone

Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas derived from the natural decay of uranium in soil, rocks, and water. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Radon is virtually always present at very low levels in outside air; it’s really only considered a health problem if it accumulates at high levels inside buildings. Although it is more prevalent in some regions than others, the U.S. EPA recommends that all homes below the third floor be tested for radon.

Can granite counters or other natural-stone materials used inside buildings emit enough radon to cause concern? It seems unlikely. The EPA states that “building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves. In the United States, radon gas in soils is the principal source of elevated radon levels in homes.”

If you are concerned that stone materials in your kitchen might be producing radon, you can have your home tested for radon; inexpensive, easy-to-use short-term testing kits are available online and from hardware stores. If the results show elevated radon levels, have an independent radon-testing laboratory conduct a more accurate, longer-term test. Make sure the lab is certified by your state and not affiliated with a radon-services company that sells or installs mitigation equipment. If the lab’s results also indicate high levels of radon, work with them to pinpoint the source. Chances are it will be the soil, not your home’s building materials or furnishings.

Homes found to have high levels of radon can be retrofitted with radon mitigation systems installed by experienced contractors. The EPA says the cost of reducing radon in a house ranges from about $800 to $2,500, depending on how the home was built and the extent of the radon problem.

For more information, go to www.epa.gov/radon, or call the National Radon Information Line at 800.SOS.RADON.

© 2006 Jennifer Roberts. All rights reserved. Originally published in Good Green Kitchens.