Key Quotes Regarding Radon in Granite Countertops
- "No action needs to be taken to remove granite countertops in existing homes. For those who are concerned, valid radon concentration monitoring should be conducted in the living areas of the home. Radon measurement devices should be placed where they measure the ambient air of the room. If the granite countertop is believed to be a cause for concern, some action might be considered. However, it would be more effective in terms of risk reduction to take steps to mitigate radon concentrations throughout the home. The cost of such mitigation would likely be less than 10% of the cost of replacing kitchen countertops and would very likely result in a much greater overall risk reduction."
- - Richard Toohey, PhD, CHP
President, Health Physics Society
- http://hps.org/documents/nyt_countertop_toohey-response.pdf - "A considerable amount of research has been published in peer-reviewed scientific literature and all of it comes to the same conclusion: the levels of radon coming off a granite countertop are not excessive and not showing any risk for the population in their homes. To properly measure radon, one must calculate the emission rate in connection with the volume of air in the home. Much like paint fumes do, radon generally dilutes harmlessly into a home's air. To get even close to the type of dangerous levels of radon exposure that's been reported in news articles recently, a consumer would have to completely seal off the room, stay in that room 24/7 - for 72 years."
- - Dr. John McCarthy
President, Environmental Health & Engineering - While natural rocks such as granite may emit some radon gas, the subsequent levels of radon in the building that are attributable to such sources are not typically high."
- - American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists - "Position Statement: Granite Countertops and Radon Gas"
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