Granite Counter Tops Emitting Radon

[mnahrgang]

Here is what AARST has to say... Read more at: http://www.aarst.org/images/AARST_Gr..._8-04-2008.pdf

The money sentence..."At this time, the EPA does not believe sufficient data exists to conclude that the types of granite
commonly used in countertops are significantly increasing indoor radon levels."

[Joseph Tribuzio]

Here is the link to the New York Times article that started a lot of needless panic, ( note how the title is designed to create fear in the reader) :
WHATS LURKING IN YOUR GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

Try this instead, its the EPA'S ( ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY) take on it:
What about Radon in Granite Countertops?
And here is a reuters article on the 2008 study from the University of Akron :

New Study Confirms Commonly Used Granite is Safe for Countertops

HERE IS A LINK TO THE STUDY IN PDF FORM:
University of Akron Radon Testing of Various Countertop Materials
Final Report by
L. L. Chyi
Department of Geology and Environmental Science
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-4101
May, 2008

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

There are those who would like to sell home inspectors devices to measure the radon levels, and make big bucks from gullible clients.

http://www.radon.com/products/pm1703.html

[Dennis R. Goudreau]

how can you test with any accuracy, how do you isolate the counter top to get a reading, imo cant be done at this time.

[mnahrgang]

Originally Posted by dgoudreau

how can you test with any accuracy, how do you isolate the counter top to get a reading, imo cant be done at this time.

don't take this as arguing for the device, from what I've read, I don't think it's necessary...

However, to answer your question, you pass the device back and forth over the surface of the countertop. It will read radiation "hot spots" and alert you to their location.

You then take one of the air check sample kits, and place it on the hot spot and seal it with the supplied plate/cover. After two days you send the sample kit to air check to determine if the hot spot is radon or not.

Great way to sell sample kits and devices...

Bottom line, check the air. If you look at the results of the test done by the U. of Akron, even if the granite is putting off a significant amount of radon, it will only (worst case) increase the air levels about 2 to 3/10ths of a pico curie. Once again, check the air.

BTW, if I forgot to say it, check the air.

[Joseph Tribuzio]

Originally Posted by mnahrgang

don't take this as arguing for the device, from what I've read, I don't think it's necessary...

However, to answer your question, you pass the device back and forth over the surface of the countertop. It will read radiation "hot spots" and alert you to their location.

You then take one of the air check sample kits, and place it on the hot spot and seal it with the supplied plate/cover. After two days you send the sample kit to air check to determine if the hot spot is radon or not.

Great way to sell sample kits and devices...

Bottom line, check the air. If you look at the results of the test done by the U. of Akron, even if the granite is putting off a significant amount of radon, it will only (worst case) increase the air levels about 2 to 3/10ths of a pico curie. Once again, check the air.

BTW, if I forgot to say it, check the air.

Agreed, but i would like to add one more thing
CHECK THE AIR!!!

[Dennis R. Goudreau]

Thanks for the response Mark, but I will stay with cant be a true reading. next thing you know they will be talking about granite steps emissions ( I know they are outside )

[Joseph Tribuzio]

....The results found that Crema Bordeaux, which emitted the greatest amount
of radon, contributes less than 7 percent of the EPA's standard for action.
The stone emitted 0.27 pCi/L, or less than 7 percent of the EPA's level of 4.0
pCi/L, well below any cause for health concerns.

(from Akron study)

[rmaday]

So should we check the air?

Thanks to all who posted, I learned a lot in this thread.

[Marc D. Shunk]

A user on another forum, who works for a very large granite countertop manufacturing concern that supplies tops all over the northeast, was summarily fired from his job for posting on an internet site about granite and radon. Feel free to PM me if anyone would like his contact information.

[Al Gerhart]

AARST has come a long way since they wrote that statement. They appointed a committee to look into the risks of Radon from granite after hearing Dr. Kitto report at their October meeting. The CRCPD (state radiation officials) also set a committee to looking into this.
The EPA supports both committees because of the lack of data.
The Akron study? Paid for by the MIA and the author is not answering any questions on his work, has clammed up completely.
The PM 1703 was recently tested side by side with three other top of the line meters, some costing upwards of $12,000. It did well for a inexpensive meter ($500), over responding on some radiation energy levels, under responding on others, but the general trend line followed the more expensive meters. It actually out performed one of the $3,000 meters. I know, I loaned the meter to the researcher, one that chairs the AARST committee looking into this controversy.
You see, the study of Radon requires radiation training and knowledge, the two can not be separated. This is a smalll scientific community, interlinked with many being both AARST and CRCPD members.
On isolating the top. It isn't needed. One tests for background away from the granite, then that level is subtracted from the reading on the granite.
And I agree 100%, do a whole house Radon test but include a kit in the kitchen. Air Chek kits are just fine.

And the Akron study? it found up to ,27 pCi/L rise due to one type of granite, Crema Bordeaux. And you can bet it was a low radiation slab that was tested. That .27 pCi/L has a cancer rate associated with it, the EPA estimates a risk of 2 per 1000 at 1.3 pCi/L. Do the math, I came up with about .41 per 1,000 or 4.1 per 10,000 extra cancers.

There is no safe level of Radon.

And yes, check the air!

[Al Gerhart]

Marc,
Please contact me about this guy. I'd like to hear the story.

al@solidsurfacealliance.org

Thanks,

Al

[Dennis R. Goudreau]

Originally Posted by Al Gerhart

AARST has come a long way since they wrote that statement. They appointed a committee to look into the risks of Radon from granite after hearing Dr. Kitto report at their October meeting. The CRCPD (state radiation officials) also set a committee to looking into this.
The EPA supports both committees because of the lack of data.
The Akron study? Paid for by the MIA and the author is not answering any questions on his work, has clammed up completely.
The PM 1703 was recently tested side by side with three other top of the line meters, some costing upwards of $12,000. It did well for a inexpensive meter ($500), over responding on some radiation energy levels, under responding on others, but the general trend line followed the more expensive meters. It actually out performed one of the $3,000 meters. I know, I loaned the meter to the researcher, one that chairs the AARST committee looking into this controversy.
You see, the study of Radon requires radiation training and knowledge, the two can not be separated. This is a smalll scientific community, interlinked with many being both AARST and CRCPD members.
On isolating the top. It isn't needed. One tests for background away from the granite, then that level is subtracted from the reading on the granite.
And I agree 100%, do a whole house Radon test but include a kit in the kitchen. Air Chek kits are just fine.

And the Akron study? it found up to ,27 pCi/L rise due to one type of granite, Crema Bordeaux. And you can bet it was a low radiation slab that was tested. That .27 pCi/L has a cancer rate associated with it, the EPA estimates a risk of 2 per 1000 at 1.3 pCi/L. Do the math, I came up with about .41 per 1,000 or 4.1 per 10,000 extra cancers.

There is no safe level of Radon.

And yes, check the air!

Al how can you be sure of the readings, did you block the surrounding area somehow ?

[Michael Larson]

AARST Position Statement - Granite Countertops and Radon Gas(PDF)

I checked today and could find no additional information on their site since the August 2008 statement.

[Rick K. Kie]

I have been told that the Red color in different granites has the most radon. And creama bordeaux has lots of ren in it but there are worse ones.