EPA Says Granite Countertops Pose No Threat

Recent news reports have told us to beware those trendy granite countertops installed in kitchens across America but those stories are based on junk science, according to the Marble Institute of America (MIA). And the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concurs.

The EPA issued a new statement last Friday to confirm its belief that granite countertops are not a realistic source of radon gas and the general pubic should not be concerned about having granite countertops in the home. The mineral content of each slab of granite is different and some of the minerals in the stone are radioactive but the radioactive elements occur in such small quantities that there is little or no danger of radiation poisoning.

Previous reports that the granite countertops may pose risk to certain individuals have been dispelled in numerous studies conducted by various entities. Faulty testing methods and inconsistent standards are thought to be behind the previous reports of danger.

In an effort to eliminate confusion, the MIA is in the process of establishing standards that can be universally applied when testing granite countertops for levels of radioactive emissions.

Source: PR Newswire

Granite Countertops Contain Radioactive Minerals

Granite countertops are increasingly popular in modern kitchens.  They’re so popular, in fact, that more than 900 kinds of granite are known to be commercially available in the US residential construction market.  Granite sold for countertops in the US comes from at least 63 countries as far flung as Namibia and Brazil. Read more