Granite Counter Tops Emitting Radon

[Al Gerhart]

Hi Dennis,

Good question.

First background radiation levels are recorded before measuring, as well as afterward. That level is subtracted from the total.

Same thing with Radon. For example, we found .775 pCi/L of Radon in our Radon room prior to starting the last round of testing. After 18 square feet of some fairly hot granite was installed, the room Radon levels went over 10 pCi/L. Later another 18 square feet of the same granite was installed, but this additional granite was low radiation level. We expected a ten to twenty percent rise in Radon levels.

Instead it first doubled, then trippled. The reality is that not only is the radiation level important, but the porosity that allows the Radon to escape.

A later test with all the hot granite was removed and replaced with low radiation level granite. That test averaged around 20 pCi/L.


Another point is that our testing verified what four Radon researchers predicted from their lab testing.

We are about to start testing again with variable ventilation to see exactly how much air flow it takes to lower the Radon levels. We know that with an open door, the room stays around 2 to 5 pCi/L.

Micheal,

Look in the 2008 symposium papers. Brodhead has two papers that cover his findings and Kitto has one. Note that Kitto's paper isn't the complete presentation he gave at the conference. He had a study ready, but some of the seriously hot granite samples we sent convinced him to reopen his research. It is finished and going through peer review. It will show up to 24 pCi/L radon in an unventilated room, half that for normal ventilation.

This September, there will likely be a panel discussion on the issue again. ARRST asked me to participate and to line up the other speakers. Dr. Steck and Dr. Kitto have agreed so far, along with an Industrial Hygienist who also is a certified Radon tester in CA. A very respected Physicist has accepted but is awaiting approval by his employer. I asked the stone industry to participate as well.

Ricky,

Some reds are a problem, most aren't. The hottest stone found so far is a black and white slab. Red dragon for example is safe as can be from the slabs we've tested so far.

[mnahrgang]

Originally Posted by Al Gerhart

Hi Dennis,

Good question.

First background radiation levels are recorded before measuring, as well as afterward. That level is subtracted from the total.

Same thing with Radon. For example, we found .775 pCi/L of Radon in our Radon room prior to starting the last round of testing. After 18 square feet of some fairly hot granite was installed, the room Radon levels went over 10 pCi/L. Later another 18 square feet of the same granite was installed, but this additional granite was low radiation level. We expected a ten to twenty percent rise in Radon levels.

Instead it first doubled, then trippled. The reality is that not only is the radiation level important, but the porosity that allows the Radon to escape.

A later test with all the hot granite was removed and replaced with low radiation level granite. That test averaged around 20 pCi/L.


Another point is that our testing verified what four Radon researchers predicted from their lab testing.

We are about to start testing again with variable ventilation to see exactly how much air flow it takes to lower the Radon levels. We know that with an open door, the room stays around 2 to 5 pCi/L.

Micheal,

Look in the 2008 symposium papers. Brodhead has two papers that cover his findings and Kitto has one. Note that Kitto's paper isn't the complete presentation he gave at the conference. He had a study ready, but some of the seriously hot granite samples we sent convinced him to reopen his research. It is finished and going through peer review. It will show up to 24 pCi/L radon in an unventilated room, half that for normal ventilation.

This September, there will likely be a panel discussion on the issue again. ARRST asked me to participate and to line up the other speakers. Dr. Steck and Dr. Kitto have agreed so far, along with an Industrial Hygienist who also is a certified Radon tester in CA. A very respected Physicist has accepted but is awaiting approval by his employer. I asked the stone industry to participate as well.

Ricky,

Some reds are a problem, most aren't. The hottest stone found so far is a black and white slab. Red dragon for example is safe as can be from the slabs we've tested so far.

No offense, but who are you?

[Al Gerhart]

Mark,

I'm just a cabinet maker that also sells countertops, including granite. I got involved in the granite testing so I could CMA.

It is looking like the CRCPD (state radiation officials) are going to recomend to the EPA that they adopt the European Union regulations on radioactive granite. We were contacted about three weeks back and asked to provide a copy of the EU regs to one of their consultants.

On the AARST panel discussion, I had invited the president of the MIA (stone lobby) but the AARST officials requested that instead of the suit, the MIA provide one of their scientists so they could defend their latest "study". The radon research community has been calling the latest MIA/E, H, & E study "unreliable", "incomplete", and "untrustworthy". The MIA has been desparately trying to gain support for a "Home Approved Stone" program, but again the protocols for their "voluntary" testing program has come under attack. Besides, no one should trust an industry that has called this issue a lie for over 16 years to turn around and do an honest job screening granite slabs that can cost thousands of dollars per slab.

Also, Dr. Kitto published the first paper on radon and granite, gave some data including stones that emitted 1,000 times more radon than the MIA "study" found. Kitto didn't release any of the hotter sample data, he is saving that for the follow up study, wanting the Health Physicists to become familiar with his measurement protocols before springing the hot granite data on them. The paper was published in the Health Physics Journal in April of this year.

You guys are very open minded on this topic, speaks well of your organization. Some realtors are now providing radon/granite handouts to both customers and buyers just to CYA.

Here is a link to our forum, not a lot of posters so I use it as a blog spot for the latest information on the granite/radon/radiation controversy. Much of the good stuff I can't post about till the researchers publish their results, but I do have more info than anyone else has on the topics.

forum.solidsurfacealliance.org

[Douglas Wall]

http://www.radon.com/radon/granite.html

[mnahrgang]

You guys that are making the case that granite is an issues...

If the air in the home tests below mitigation levels, what is the issue? Why test the countertops?

Radon causes lung cancer. Even if the granite is positive, if the radon isn't getting into the air, then what is the issue (other than selling testing equipment, and tests?)

[Douglas Wall]

Done 1 granite counter top test and talked about 50 out of doing it.
picked up 142 radon tests today, we do a bunch but do not push granite counter top testing, but then we don't sell artifical granite counter tops like the guys that started this mess.
it's time to go home, you folks have a great evening

[Joe Farsetta]

Al,

Here's a part of the problem...your quote:

Besides, no one should trust an industry that has called this issue a lie for over 16 years to turn around and do an honest job screening granite slabs that can cost thousands of dollars per slab.

Who is "no one"?

My radon teacher was the person responsible for venturing into those mines so long ago, as a physicist for the Atomic Energy Commission. He helped develop instruments and protocols for the testing of radon. He believes this to be a total farce.

He has no axe to grind and is part of a well respected EPA-approved lab who could make $$ on the testing of granite counter tops. Seems to me that his slant would be opposite of what it is. Funny.

You belong to a form of contractors/manufacturers of solid surface countertops.

This is hype and hysteria, created by an industry in competition with those who produce granite countertops.

Its a load of crap. But as long as there are $$ involved, the mantra is to play on the fears of the general public.

[Dennis R. Goudreau]

I don't know if it is an entire load of crap Joe,it is granite, has fissures etc, it's the testing I have problems with