Granite naturally contains more of these elements than many other stones and is therefore a little bit more radioactive than other natural surfaces such as slate or marble.
Which granite countertops have more radon than others.
The soil is a richer source of potential radon gas and a bigger threat to public health than granite countertops.
Since basements tend to be on level to or below ground soil and have less ventilation than the upper floors concentrations of.
Radon is an odorless colorless gas produced by the breakdown of uranium that seeps out of the earth more commonly in some places on the planet than others.
Learn more about radon.
These radioactive elements are solids but over time they may decay into radon says the environmental protection agency epa.
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 of.
Radon coming from common soil under homes can be in high enough concentrations to be of great concern.
The story here appears to be that some granite countertops have been found to emit high levels of radon a strongly carcinogenic natural radioactive element.
That position as of early this week was much more nuanced than the institute claims noting that some granite used for countertops may contribute variably to indoor radon levels.
But the radiation levels are still extremely low compared to the amount of radiation people are exposed to from other sources over the normal course of a year.
Are the levels of radon in granite countertops harmful.
If the levels of radon in the area containing the granite are higher than your indoor levels in another area of your home and the surface top test devices also return high results then it is possible that the granite is contributing to or is the source of your indoor radon levels.
Some pieces of granite may contain more of these elements than others.