Can Granite Countertops Harm You? Studies Say No!

Granite is one of the most frequently used materials for home décor. Now environmentalists and companies have started opposing the using of granite for home décor. They feel that granite emits radon gas which is harmful for the body. It is a matter of serious concern as scientists have started examining the stone to see if they are harmful for the body or not. However they have arrived at the conclusion that the radon gas though emitted by granite is not emitted in sufficient proportions to make it harmful.

Yes you have heard us correct. Now there is no need to be concerned about installing granite in your home. Studies done by experts have proved that it is perfectly safe. Even if it releases radon gas it does so in a minimal amount; thus it is not a problem if you install it at home. These studies come as a relief to many home owners who prefer to install radon but were not confident to install it in their own home due to safety concerns. This study dispels all myth surrounding the utilization of this stone.

Radon is an odorless and colorless gas. This affects the quality of air indoors. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has started programs to create awareness among the homeowners about radon and its effects. Although it has been proved that radon will never pose any threat for health, yet, there are many who prefer their granite to check before they are installed. It has been noted that the stone may have uranium in different concentrations which might be capable to produce radon gas with bet and alpha particles and this can be harmful for the quality of indoor air, there are no health hazards involved.

When questioned about the intensity of radioactive reaction, the Florida Department of Health has stated that all of us are exposed to a level of background radiation. All the materials like the earthen materials are known to emit radon gas, but they will never pose any real threat to the human body. According to the Health Physics Society, the radiation level is not harmful for the body and the granite countertops should not be removed. However if the homeowner is still concerned, the radon concentration should be monitored from time to time. If it is found that the radon concentration level is higher than the normal level, then the granite countertops should be removed.

The amount of radioactivity is small in granite countertops. They will never pose any threat for the humans. It has also been noted that the amount of background radiation is much more than the amount of radon gas emitted by the granite countertops. The radiation from the granite countertops is generally detected from a distance. But it will never cause any direct harm to the body. Background radiation can be worse and it may be the cause for a number of life-threatening diseases. If you are not satisfied, you can still hire a professional to know whether the granite countertops in your kitchen are safe to sue or not!

Sealers: How They Are Relevant For Marble Maintenance?

It is easy to maintain granite and marble countertops, only if you know the right way to do it. Sealers are used for marbles. Sealers are used to treat the natural stone so that it keeps away the water and dirt. This also helps in prevention of stain. In other words sealers can be effective stain-resistant. As it penetrates into the stone, they reduce the absorption power and keep away the stains and dirt from the surface of the stone. As a result, the surface remains smooth for a longer tome.

There are some sealers which may create dark spots on the stone. However it is always better to consult the dealer before buying the sealers. Sealers are incapable to protect the stone from grease, oil or any other contaminants. They must be applied on the surface from time to time to maintain the luster and smoothness of the surface. The purpose of the sealers is to create a durable layer on the top which will act as a protective shield helping in the maintenance of the stone. However sealers cannot be used for exterior applications. It has been seen that sealers can trap moisture which may lead to cracks on the stone surface.

Natural stone is generally porous and they can be stained easily. Granite is one of the less porous stones. It is the degree of porosity which determines the degree of difficulty or ease for the removal of stains. The stone absorbs the stain. In order to remove the stain, the components should be broken chemically and then reabsorbed into a different material. This is known as Poultice. This is basically white powder. If you have to detect the nature of stone, in order to know about the chemicals which can be helpful in clearing away the stains. At times it becomes difficult to recognize the stain. You will need several chemical poultices to remove the stain.

There are different types of stains, and you will need different materials to remove the stains. There are oil-based stains like grass, tar, butter, cooking oils and mayonnaise, algae and mildew, ink like marker and magic marker, metal and rust like bronze, iron and copper. In order to remove the stain, you will have to wet the area with distilled water. After the pores are filled with water, the water will isolate the stains. Then you can prepare the poultice and mix the chemical with the powder in order to produce a thick paste.

The paste is to be applied on the stain. After the poultice is applied thickly, the area should be covered with a plastic paper. The paper should be sealed with a tape on the edges. After the poultice is dried properly, you can remove the poultice from the area. The drying process is extremely important as this helps to pull out the stain. Generally it takes almost 2 days for the drying process. After removing the poultice, the area should be rinsed with distilled water and made dry with a soft cloth.