{"id":4928,"date":"2014-10-25T07:22:39","date_gmt":"2014-10-25T07:22:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aztile2021.wpengine.com\/?p=4928"},"modified":"2022-09-18T22:55:26","modified_gmt":"2022-09-19T05:55:26","slug":"granite-and-radon-dispelling-the-myth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arizonatile.com\/granite-and-radon-dispelling-the-myth\/","title":{"rendered":"Granite and Radon \u2013 Dispelling the Myth","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Featured Image:\u00a0Granite Kitchen Countertops<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

There is a persistent rumor \u2013 some would even characterize it as an urban myth \u2013 that granite countertops are harmful because they emit high levels of radon. It\u2019s time to clear up this misconception. For years, scientists have worked to find facts behind this myth and they consistently found that granite is completely safe. There have been hundreds of different types of\u00a0granite countertops<\/a>\u00a0studied and not once has any sort of significant radon risk been found. However, this rumor continues to circulate and people still continue to believe it is true.<\/p>\n

Radon 101<\/h2>\n

Radon is a radioactive gas that, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is created by the natural decay of uranium which\u00a0is found in nearly all kinds of soils. While it typically dissipates into the atmosphere, there are some instances where it can enter a home through the basement, or through cracks in a home\u2019s foundation and become trapped. The EPA estimates nearly 1 out of 15 homes in the U.S. have elevated levels of the gas.<\/p>\n

Granite Countertops \u00a0– Not a Significant\u00a0Source of Radon<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If a person is exposed to this odorless, invisible gas for a long time and in high enough concentrations, radon can result in health issues including lung cancer. The EPA reviewed substantial amounts of test data and stated there was\u00a0not enough evidence to support<\/strong>\u00a0claims that granite countertops are a significant source of radon.<\/strong>\u00a0In the video below from the Marble Institute of America, explains how the EPA\u00a0states on its\u00a0website<\/a>\u00a0that radon in the soil is a far more serious health risk than radon from any building materials that contain granite.<\/p>\n