Re: Granite countertops may emit radiation

[Guest guest]

It is the *wooden* counter top covered with Formica that you have to

watch out for. Radiation is all around us. Here is a link about

natural radioactivity:

http://physics.isu.edu/radinf/natural.htm

Brazil Nuts are the really " hot " item in your pantry: 5,600

picoCuries/kg from Potassium 40, and 1,000-7,000 picoCuries/kg from

Radium 226. The link also provides averages of radionuclides which we

ingest daily in water and food.

The article also has the Natural Radioactivity in Building Materials:

Granite emits 32 picoCuries/gram from radioactive potassium, but plain

old wood emits 90 pCi/g.

Wood emits *three* times more radiation than granite!

Tony

>

> Just saw this on tv. A guy placed a geiger counter on granite

> countertop and the counter was going crazy. Radiation and possible

> high levels of radon gas emitted from the granite. He said with this

> level we would recommend removal of the countertop. I don't have a

> granite countertop but heads up to anyone else who does.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi folks:

This may have some relevance:

" The Environmental Protection Agency explains on its Web site that: "The presence of radon in your home can pose a danger to your family's health. It is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, the second-leading cause of lung cancer in America, and claims about 20,000 lives annually." "

" The amount of radon in the air is measured in "picoCuries per liter of air," or "pCi/L," and the EPA says 4 pCi/L is the level of radon exposure that requires someone to take action. The agency also says levels lower than that "still pose a risk". "

" On The Early Show Friday, Stanley Liebert, quality assurance director at CMT Laboratories in Clifton Park, N.Y. showed co-anchor Harry a chunk of granite countertop emitting 4.4 pCi/L and said, "The probability is we're looking at a problem here. " "

Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/25/earlyshow/health/main4292754.shtml

So, if the above is accurate, the issue seems to be that some granite has surprisingly high levels of uranium/radon, and others negligible amounts. You may have to test the individual sample/kitchen to know which.

Rodney.

>> Just saw this on tv. A guy placed a geiger counter on granite> countertop and the counter was going crazy. Radiation and possible> high levels of radon gas emitted from the granite. He said with this> level we would recommend removal of the countertop. I don't have a> granite countertop but heads up to anyone else who does.>