Is Granite Really Safe for Countertops

You may be stunned by granite's beauty and really want to use it in your kitchen renovation. A countertop is a convenient and popular use of granite and an obvious choice. It's a way to display the stone in all its glory. But you may be worried that it's not such a good choice when it comes to safety and health. It's an understandable concern and there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the subject. Is granite dangerous to your health? Will it be practical or cause bigger problems in the long-run?

The Granite-Radon Controversy
One of your prime concerns may revolve around national reports of radon, a type of radioactive gas, being found in granite, including granite used for countertops. Of course, such reports cause concern. If you're seeking to install new granite countertops you may hesitate, unsure if it's really worth risking your family's health. Is the radon found in granite that dangerous?

Radiation found in any form, any where, naturally raises concerns. But the radiation known as radon that is found in granite countertops is not an isolated incident. Radon gas is actually commonly emitted from the soil surrounding your home, and is often discovered largely in the United States in Midwestern and Eastern basements. This is not typically a problem, especially if the basements are properly ventilated. You see, health risks associated with radiation are not just about the radiation itself. Other factors, especially the concentration level of the radiation, the amount of exposure to it, and the time period exposed to it, play major roles in determining how dangerous it is.

This is the case because radiation in various forms is all around us. We're exposed to it in minor ways on a daily basis. When we stand in the sun, for example, we're exposed to radiation, which is why we have so many sun exposure warnings. Basic building materials such as concrete blocks emit tiny amounts of radiation. And radiation even emits from foods we eat such as potatoes. Due to this constant widespread radiation exposure, there are standards to decide if certain radiation exposures are dangerous.

Granite, including countertops, has undergone studies by various organizations. According to the U.S. EPA and the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST), the amount of radon emitted by granite is slight. In fact, according to the AARST the soil around us emits more radon gas than granite. And even at the highest levels of emission, the EPA says it isn't enough to cause concern. The United States government deems such minor environmental exposure to radiation as safe.

So should you worry about exposing your family to harmful radiation should you install a granite countertop? According to these and other scientific studies, no. The radiation exposure is minor and appears to be no higher than the average environmental emissions found throughout our world. So while radiation exposure should not be taken lightly, there seems to be no cause to dismiss granite countertops as unsafe for you and your family.