This month the question I answered for the USGBC’s GreenHomeGuide was submitted by Eugenia Michel:
“My daughter and I are considering granite countertops for each of our homes. As a cancer survivor, is this a good choice for us?”
My answer:
It sounds like you are concerned about the possibility of radiation leaking from the granite countertops due to radon gas being present in the stone. There was quite a scare a few months ago after an article appeared in the New York Times about a high level of radon detected in a home and traced to the granite countertop in the kitchen.
The EPA responded to this concern by stating, “at this time EPA believes that the existing data is insufficient to conclude that the types of granite commonly used in countertops are significantly increasing indoor radon levels. While radiation levels are not typically high, measurement of specific samples may reveal higher than expected levels on a case-by-case basis.”
If you absolutely have to have granite countertops, and are concerned about the radon gas levels of the stone you’ve picked, you can purchase a radon testing kit online. If the radon level measures 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), choose another stone.
But why not choose another, greener, solid surface countertop material? There are many options for green countertops.
Consider one of the quartz-stone products like Caesar Stone or EuroStone. These engineered stones are much more durable than natural stone, and even have some choices made from post-industrial and post-consumer waste, and many color options. Both are environmentally responsible companies in terms of their mission and operations.
There are several beautiful, very green, solid surface materials manufactured in the United States. (Less of an embodied carbon footprint than when a product is manufactured overseas.) A few of the lesser-known but exciting options are Iguanacrete, Bottlestone, Squak Mountain Stone, Fuez, and Earthcrete by Sonoma Cast Stone. These are all West Coast manufacturers. Other options are IceStone, Enviroglas, and Eco by Cosentino.
A note about radon: High radon levels inside the home can be a real threat to your health. Radon gas present in the soil can enter the home through the foundation, and can also be in the water. It is important to know whether your home is in an area where radon gas levels are high enough to be a concern, and to test the indoor air to see if the gas is present at a level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). A qualified green building professional (like those you will find at Spectrum Fine Homes) will know how to easily mitigate the situation if there are high levels of radon gas present.
You can see more helpful links on the GreenHomeGuide – Ask-A-Pro website.
This was an interesting post and I also like the recommendation to seek GREENER pastures.
I would like to add that the radon that can be exuded from the granite counter tops is added to the levels that already exist in the home. When I read it I kind of got the feeling that the radon test should be done on the granite slabs prior to installation (which is not a bad idea) but it is the overall level inside the home that matters.
If a radon test is done on a slab of granite that you just love then you have it tested for radon and the level comes up at 3.1 PciL remember that this adds to the existing level inside the home. It does not add directly to the homes existing level but is proportionate by space and of course ventilation.
As a cancer survivor, I do not think you should put yourself in ANY preventable situation involving carcinogens. Heed this writers advice and keep in mind that those beautiful quartz counters are just as nice and give you the same bang for your buck.
Great points, Jesse! I so agree that there are much better choices for counter tops than granite, and hope that readers will take a look at some of the alternatives I linked in the blog. Add to that that GOOD VENTILATION in homes is of utmost importance when it comes to healthy indoor air quality – and radon is only one of the culprits that can affect your health. I think this warrants its own blog topic, and will write about it, soon.
Yes so what I am thinking is where was this post when my mom was looking at granite? Good info. Thanks.
I think that granite is very beautiful and practical for the kitchen, but am very concerned about introducing any radiation emitting material into my home to add to those alreay present. So I began to consider caesarstone quartz, but realized that both granite and the engineered materials are basically made up of the same material-quartz. It is safe to say that if granite emits radiation, then quartz should also? I am very confused. I have considered corian’s private collection, but shudder to image what it would look like after a few days of dragging pots and pans across the countertop ( I have teenagers). By the way, corian’s private collection is in the same price range as the most expensive granite sold at the big box stores. Does anyone know what the radiation report is like for caesarstone? I had my kitchen cabinets installed about a month ago, but can’t decide on the countertop.