Does Your Granite Countertop Contain Radon?

MIA Challenges Radon Test Results of Granite Countertops "Cleveland, OH - The Marble Institute of America (MIA) has refuted the findings of BuildClean, a Houston-based non-profit organization whose recent in-home testing found that potentially harmful levels of radon are emitted by granite countertop surfaces.

The MIA, a trade association whose members include granite and other natural stone suppliers, issued 'an alert,' calling attention to the claims by BuildClean, which has tested radon levels in a variety of countertop surfaces.

'The issue of granite containing radon has surfaced repeatedly over the years,' said Gary Distelhorst, MIA CEO. 'The origins of these concerns [emanate] from manufacturers of radon detection devices and competing synthetic countertop materials.' However, Sara Speer Selber, BuildClean's president, defended the testing's validity, noting it was based on inspections by certified and bonded technicians, and was conducted 'by a science advisory panel of leaders in their field.'"

What is Radon?
The jury is still out with me. I'm not sure if granite and other stone counters contain enough radon or pose enough of a threat.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer (behind smoking cigarettes). It's an odorless and colorless gas that is emitted when uranium decays. And there is uranium in nearly all soil deposits. This gas can be inhaled and, over time, can cause cancer.

So, you can see. It is a big deal. And if there is a considerable amount of radon trapped in the granite, marble or other stone materials, then it could possibly affect your indoor air quality.

From all the testing that has been done and all the studies that have been made, this much is clear - there is almost always some radon or radioactivity in natural stone countertops. People working within the stone industry have an agenda and people who compete with natural stone countertops have an agenda. It can be hard to find out what you need to know.

What Can I Do?
If you have a granite counter or plan to get one installed, know that it's possible to have your home checked for radon and you can even use a do-it-yourself kit to check for it. As long as your monitor your living conditions and air quality in your home, and make corrections if you find any problems, you and your family should be fine.

If you still plan to get a granite countertop installed in your home, we can help. ConstructionDeal.com is a free resource to help you find contractors online. It's fast and easy to use. And there is no cost for our service.

Just tell us about your granite counter project and we'll match you with local installers. It's that simple. Submit your granite countertop project today. There's no obligation.