Is Granite Really A Health Hazard? A Brief Introspection

The recent times have witnessed a lot of controversies over the granite countertops. Few websites and TV shows have claimed that granite can be a reason for lung cancer. Some people have alleged that the granite emits a radioactive gas called radon.

Different counter arguments have come up immediately. However, all have agreed that the stone emits some radioactive products. But, most of the manufacturers argued that the amount of radon released by the granite countertops is nowhere near the threat level. In fact, this is the focal point of the controversies. While the accusers are claiming that the amount is reasonably high to pose serious health threats, the other party believes that the amount is ignorable.

However, if we see through the apparent uproar over the issue, there is another very interesting that will add a new dimension to this entire argument. Those who accused the granites of imposing health threats are all manufacturers of the engineered stones. So, there may be a good chance that this blame game is largely a business trick. In fact, the organization that is repeatedly launching attack on the granite has a director who is the marketing executive of such a manufacturing company.

Still, it is wise to check out the facts to see whether the charges are valid. After all, our health is at stake. Radon is actually a radioactive gas that is derived from the radiation of the uranium and radium. However, the gas is emitted from underground of the house. The amount of radon thus varies according to different conditions. Generally, it ranges from few hundred to several thousands of pCi/L. interestingly, the houses act like a chimney and takes in the hot air through the lower part and pulling that out through the top floor. This suction also pulls in the radon from the soil.

As a natural stone, granite too, allows the vapors to pass through. This vapor may contain a minimum amount of radon. However, some natural stones contain biotite where an extremely low amount of radioactive product can be found. As the granite or similar natural stones are quarried, they are exposed to the atmosphere and there can be a good amount of radon reading there. However, once they are removed from the source of radon or the earth, the amount of radon present in the granite lessens dramatically. This is because the stone then stops filtering the radon through it.

Thus the amount of radon radiated from the granite products is marginal. This can be measured and therefore, can be established that the amount is far below the threat level. So, granite can be called a safe product. Well, that is not a new finding. In fact, experts have conducted researches on the granite and radon for years. Also, there are researches that have established the fact that a person can well live in a building that is completely made of granite. The person can also sleep on the granite floor and there is no health hazard in that.