Can Granite Cause Radon

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and is estimated to cause tens of thousands of lung cancer deaths in the u s.

Can granite cause radon.

Pointing the finger at granite countertops as the source of radon gas is dangerous as it may cause you to overlook other more dangerous sources of it such as the soil or water around your home. If you want to keep your household safe from radon gas make a point of regularly testing for radon gas levels in your home. The reports were about granite countertops that contain radium which can emit radon a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. In the united states radon gas in soils is the principal source of elevated radon levels in homes.

While radon gas and radiation emission levels attributable to granite are not typically high there are simply too many variables to generalize about the potential health risks inside a particular home that has granite countertops. 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. In a small number of homes the building materials e g granite and certain concrete products can give off radon although 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.

In a small number of homes the building materials e g granite and certain concrete products can give off radon although building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves. The us epa estimates that about 21 000 americans die of radon caused lung cancer every year. 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. Some quarries are producing relatively radioactive granite and quartzite slabs and tile.

That s really no joke.