Over the last few years Granite has found its way beyond just a fashionable home trend to a quintessential requirement for your home. As our society reaches modernity our requirements for survival also expands. Topping this list is food, oxygen, water and now granite! Demand for this stone has reached breathtaking heights over the last few years due to its durability, functionality and appeal. As all this hype increases so does it’s return on investment (ROI) making it an ideal choice for homeowners all over the world.
Allegations of granite posing major health risks have been raised periodically over the past few years. However, the root of such propaganda primarily originates from its competition. Although this topic has not been completely fabricated (no pun intended) it has been highly exaggerated. Granite is known to contain uranium and other radioactive materials like thorium and potassium, but the amount found in granite countertops are not enough to pose a health threat. According to health physicists and radiation experts, emissions are insignificant compared with the consistent radiation we receive from outer space or seeping up from the earth’s crust, not to mention emanating from manmade sources like X-rays, luminous watches and smoke detectors. Below I’ve included a link to a comprehensive study performed by the Marble Institute regarding this topic.
This came up in the NYT a few months ago... from what I heard from various reps (both granite and composite) my gut reaction is that this shouldn't be much of a problem. The times article even states:
"Indeed, health physicists and radiation experts agree that most granite countertops emit radiation and radon at extremely low levels. They say these emissions are insignificant compared with so-called background radiation that is constantly raining down from outer space or seeping up from the earth’s crust, not to mention emanating from manmade sources like X-rays, luminous watches and smoke detectors."
One of the granite reps I talked to walked through exposure levels found in granite vs. what the EPA or some such similar organization (it was legit, but I can't remember details) and you would have to be within 6" of the stone for something like 15 hours a day for a long time to have any measurable effect, and that's only if it happens to be contaminated...
Aug 3, 09 5:52 pm ·
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Harmful radiation caused by granite
Fact or fiction?
Over the last few years Granite has found its way beyond just a fashionable home trend to a quintessential requirement for your home. As our society reaches modernity our requirements for survival also expands. Topping this list is food, oxygen, water and now granite! Demand for this stone has reached breathtaking heights over the last few years due to its durability, functionality and appeal. As all this hype increases so does it’s return on investment (ROI) making it an ideal choice for homeowners all over the world.
Allegations of granite posing major health risks have been raised periodically over the past few years. However, the root of such propaganda primarily originates from its competition. Although this topic has not been completely fabricated (no pun intended) it has been highly exaggerated. Granite is known to contain uranium and other radioactive materials like thorium and potassium, but the amount found in granite countertops are not enough to pose a health threat. According to health physicists and radiation experts, emissions are insignificant compared with the consistent radiation we receive from outer space or seeping up from the earth’s crust, not to mention emanating from manmade sources like X-rays, luminous watches and smoke detectors. Below I’ve included a link to a comprehensive study performed by the Marble Institute regarding this topic.
Article by Home Surfaces Direct.
www.homesurfacesdirect.com
Ha!
"However, the root of such propaganda primarily originates from its competition. ... www.homesurfacesdirect.com"
Let me guess... your company only sells natural stone?
luncheon meat
Frak! I was just around a chock full of granite at the StL zoo, I better call the doctor.
Lcage, how is "little" raja these days?
This came up in the NYT a few months ago... from what I heard from various reps (both granite and composite) my gut reaction is that this shouldn't be much of a problem. The times article even states:
"Indeed, health physicists and radiation experts agree that most granite countertops emit radiation and radon at extremely low levels. They say these emissions are insignificant compared with so-called background radiation that is constantly raining down from outer space or seeping up from the earth’s crust, not to mention emanating from manmade sources like X-rays, luminous watches and smoke detectors."
One of the granite reps I talked to walked through exposure levels found in granite vs. what the EPA or some such similar organization (it was legit, but I can't remember details) and you would have to be within 6" of the stone for something like 15 hours a day for a long time to have any measurable effect, and that's only if it happens to be contaminated...
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