Update: You can probably sleep sound tonight knowing that the granite countertops in your home will probably not give you cancer.
According to an article at Realtytimes.com,
the Marble Institute of America says such comments are “ludicrous” because, while granite is known to contain uranium (which can produce radon) and other radioactive materials like thorium and potassium, the amounts in countertops are not enough to pose a health threat.
This article was on the front page of Yahoo and it caught my attention. The New York Times’ Kate Murphy reports:
Allegations that granite countertops may emit dangerous levels of radon and radiation have been raised periodically over the past decade, mostly by makers and distributors of competing countertop materials…granite is known to contain uranium and other radioactive materials like thorium and potassium, the amounts in countertops are not enough to pose a health threat.
Apparently, a married couple had a radon test done in their home and the radon levels were much higher than anticipated. The radon test revealed that the radon levels were 10 times higher by the granite countertop in comparison to any other room in the house.
Maybe cross off granite countertops as a requirement for your next rental property.
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