Buzzword: Radon

What it means. Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that results from the natural decay of uranium in soil and rock. The gas moves up from the ground and can diffuse into the air or enter a home, typically through cracks and holes in the foundation or concrete slab. (Radon can also enter the home through well water and by way of some building materials). The presence of radon in the home can pose a danger to your health, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in this country.

Why the buzz? Radon has been in the news recently with reports that some granite countertops can release dangerous levels of radon. This isn't a new claim—it surfaced in the 1990s—and it's fairly controversial. In April 2008, BuildClean, a nonprofit that aims to educate consumers about safe and healthy building materials, made news when it announced that its pilot project would provide free in-home radon testing of 300 homes in Houston to determine whether granite countertops emit harmful levels of radon. It's worth noting that two big makers of quartz countertops, Cambria and Cosentino (which also sells granite counters), are the sole funders of BuildClean. "By its nature, granite emits radon—the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.," said Sara Speer Selber, BuildClean's president, in a press release at the time.

Next, in early May, W.J. Llope, Ph.D., a senior faculty fellow at the T.W. Bonner Nuclear Laboratory at Rice University in Houston, released a report in which he analyzed 18 articles covering 95 granite samples. In "Radiation and Radon from Natural Stone" (PDF download), Llope reported that 92 of the granite samples emitted no or very little radon, though two were in the 3.1-to-3.4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) range, and one registered 4.2. (These measurements assume a hypothetical unventilated room, not a standard home, according to Llope's study.) The EPA estimates that the average indoor radon level is 1.3 pCi/L and suggests that you reduce radon when the level in your home is 4 pCi/L or higher.

Shortly after Llope released his report, the Marble Institute of America trade group announced the results of a study of its own. A professor of geology at the University of Akron tested 52 samples (four each of 13 different types) of the most popular granites used for countertops in the U.S., representing the majority of granite countertops sold here, according to the MIA. Ten added "almost immeasurable amounts of radon to the house," reads the study, while two had radon levels of 0.04 pCi/L. The highest level of radon emitted from one stone was 0.27 pCi/L. The study did not account for natural ventilation in a home, which would dilute the concentration of radon.

Looking for some clarity on this issue, I interviewed Michael Kitto, Ph.D., a research scientist for the New York State Department of Health. As part of a study he's planning to submit for peer review, he measured the radon emissions from more than 40 granite and engineered stones in airtight containers, without ventilation. Kitto found that the engineered stones emitted almost no radon and many of the granite stones were very low emitters of radon. A few stones emitted slightly more radon, and only one emitted a substantial amount of radon. (Kitto defines substantial by saying it could produce from a few to several pCi/L in a room; he adds that the exact value depends on many variables, including kitchen volume and countertop size.) BuildClean and Cosentino also fund Kitto's study.

Consumer Reports has done limited radon testing on granite counters. Using a radon meter in a room with the door closed, we tested two granite counters. None added any radon to the air. (Look for our report on short-term radon tests kits in the September 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, on sale and online this August.)

The EPA emphasizes the importance of testing the air in your home for radon, whether or not you have countertops made from granite. But there are too many variables and too little information to generalize about the radon risk granite counters pose to humans, according to Dave Ryan, an EPA press officer. The EPA has not conducted studies on radon in countertops and has no plans to do so at this time. Limestone, soapstone, and marble countertops do not pose a radon concern, according to Kitto.

If you have granite countertops and want to test them for radon, place a short-term home radon test kit near the granite and another kit in the basement or lowest usable level of the home. Follow the manufacturer's directions carefully, as the test results are affected by heat and humidity.

• If the test results state a radon level of that's lower than 2 pCi/L in your basement, you don't need to do anything.

• If the test reveals a radon level of 2 to 4 pCi/L in your basement, follow up with a long-term test kit to more accurately measure the level.

• If the long-term results from your basement are between 2 and 4 pCi/L, consider professional remediation to minimize risk.

• If the short- or long-term results in the basement are 4 pCi/L or above, hire a radon professional for an assessment and, if necessary, remediation.

• If the kit in the basement/lowest level registers a lower level of radon than the one near the granite, you can be fairly sure that the granite is the source of radon and not something beneath your home. If the level near the granite is 2 to 4 pCi/L, our experts say you might consider remediation—removal. If the level is 4 pCi/L, our experts recommend remove the granite countertop.—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: Read "Dealing With the Dangers of Radon Gas" for information about remediation and finding a qualified pro in your area. Read about lead and radon test kits, then find out about the best countertops in our Ratings-based report in the August 2008 issue of Consumer Reports.

Comments

[Christina Weigel]

First of all, in the MIA funded Akron study, there were only 13 stones tested, not 52.

If this is so controversial it's only because the MIA has made it to be. By fighting any such discussion about radon emanation & granite countertops they only make things worse for themselves in the future. The MIA has made anyone who would talk about testing & safety with granite material to be someone who competes against granite or hates granite. I don't hate granite, it used to be my favorite material.

In all of the hub bub no one is saying that all granite is dangerous. Testing two samples & one slab does not prove the problem doesn't exist.

What I have discovered is that some of the radioactive stones are coming from areas of high radioactivity. Like Niagara Gold granite for instance. Niagara Gold comes from Namibia & Namibia is the 5th largest producer of Uranium. I’ve tracked the stone down to quarry called Stone Africa which is about 8 - 12 miles from Rossing Uranium mine. There are about 4 (5 by next year) operating uranium mines in central Namibia & if you go http://www.mme.gov.na/pdf/licences-dimension-stones-1207.pdf & then http://www.mme.gov.na/pdf/licences-nuclear-fuel-1207.pdf you’ll see overlapping licenses for nuclear fuel & dimensional stone exploration.

We’ve found a slab of Niagara Gold clocking in at over 400 uR/hr. (background is about 6 uR/hr) gamma. We found another clocking in at around 200 uR/hr. & we sent it off to a physics professor for him to check (It was incredibly hot, but we’ll let him go public with that, soon).

We have a Bordeaux core analysis showing a level of 986 pCi/g for RA-226 & 128 pCi/g for RA-228. Thats Radium if you don’t know it yet. Its in the Uranium decay chain. When an oil & gas company wants to return a site to its original state, the EPA says it must be remediated to 5 pCi/g of radium or lower. At one point in time the EPA in Florida considered creating a standard for concrete for homes & they wanted to set it a 5 pCi/g of radium. Now if the soil that your house sits on has to be “cleaner” than your countertop, what’s wrong with that picture?

We who conduct this research only want testing to be done on granite to ensure safety of the granite being put into people's homes. We have never said all granite is dangerous, but there are some that obviously are & they must be dealt with. If the MIA continues to fight the testing effort they are only putting a nail into their own coffin.

The core analysis results, Bordeaux, & hot Niagara Gold granite samples are available to Consumer Reports if they're interested.

[Christina Weigel]

This is from a leading scientist in Radon research regarding the MIA's Akron study.

"There are problems with the model used to interpret the contributions of a scaled slab in a real home. For example, if I had a 6 ACH home I’d be either broke of frozen to death. Nonetheless, these radon measurements give us some information, provided they are accurate.

I suspect the disclaimer reflects a fear (not unjustified) of legal entanglement that scientists neither want nor are prepared for. Generally we don’t carry insurance and we certainly don’t want to spend years in court."

[alba]

Pay for a radon test as part of your house inspection when you're buying a new home. If the level is high, ask the sellers to fix the issue before you buy the house. It can cost over $1000 to fix the problem.

[replacementcounters.com]

I wonder how this will effect homeowners decisions on purchasing Granite. Luckily there are other equally beautiful surfaces these days including the quartz countertops you mentioned.

[Timothy]

I am a countertop fabricator that does both granite and quartz. I await the Consumer Reports issue as I have been watching this issue evolve for some time. What I am waiting for is an in depth, impartial analysis of the radon issue in regards to granite countertops, not funded by any particular organization that has a financial stake in the outcome.
That said, I still will have to weigh my own knowledge against CR for this reason; In their latest article concerning the ratings on countertops, I was hard pressed to find any disclaimer or note that clearly stated that every color of "granite" is different in its porosity, hardness, strength and mineral composition. Meaning that by giving "granite" one rating to encompass all of the tests and varieties of stone was unfair to the countertops in the other categories such as solid surface, quartz and laminate.
I know that it would be difficult to test every color of igneous stone sold on the market and then present the results of each, but a disclaimer would be appropriate and may help the buying public understand a little bit more the complexity of testing, rating and marketing of "granite" countertops.

[Christina Weigel]

Check out this story from the NY Times regarding granite & radon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/garden/24granite.html?ref=garden

[maureen]

I am a homeowner who is currently remodeling. I am trying to decide which materials I should use for both my kitchen floor and kitchen countertops.

It would be great to have one source which compares the environmental safety pluses and minuses of several materials, e.g. laminate, granite, quartz, and various engineered stone. That source might also include various finishes such as concrete applications.

I am particularly confused about quartz: Several sources I have consulted claim that granite is composed of quartz and feldspar. Where does that leave us?

MB

[Barbara]

I have Brazilian countertops that are works of art that I aboslutely love in my kitchen. I'm horrified to think that they might be emitting radon. I saw where granite from Brazil seems to have high concentrates of radon. Can someone address whether Brazilian granite might have higher levels of radon than some other forms of granite? I only know that it was sold as Creme Bordeaux, it has lovely veining of quartz and reds, pinks, salmons, silvers and other such colors in it...beautiful!

[Lance]

Has there been ANY tests on radon in SOAPSTONE? Are they ONLY testing granite? Attn: Christine Weigel and persons with data.

[Rochelle]

I am planning to remodel my kitchen this fall and I prefer the look of granite-in-motion (as opposed to static colors/patterns of granite or engineered stone) for my countertops. I just read yesterday's article in the NY Times about possible radiation and/or radon in some granite slabs. No rigorous test results were included so I turned to Consumer reports.

Christina, you mentioned the radioactivity of your slab of Niagara Gold from Namibia. I was planning to go with Namibian gold (I need a yellow/gold color)and your comment raised concerns for me. How did you identify the stone quarry? Can individual slabs be tested at local stone yards? Should I just stay away from any Namibian slabs? What other countries that have granite stone quarries also mine for uranium?

I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

[Janice]

I have traveled 200 miles round trip (5 times) to select my granite
slab. My husband and I finally decided on a particular Niagara Gold slab that has golden rather than the ivory/ taupe tones. I was horrified to read this particular color appears "hot" with radon. How should I go about determining if indeed this particular slab is hot? I have spent many hours selecting the background tiles etc. If indeed this is a hot stone, I am fortunate that I am not 2 months down the road and have it installed in my kitchen. Since this granite slab is outdoors with 1000's of other granite slab will a test prove accurate? Thanks so much; I really appreciate your advice.

[Bonnie Atkinson]

I am planning to put in an exotic granite "Classic Wave." Any information on radon/uranium on this particular stone?

[Jerry]

To Lance - radon may apply to igneous stones only, not stones like marble, limestone, slate, soapstone, etc. so I wouldn't be worried about your soapstone. Nor would I be worried about granite. I have it in my house and did a radon test. Nothing. I also borrowed a geiger counter from work and it only read about 23-25 uRem/hr (background read 8-10 uRem/hr).

But to put things in perspective, I'm not sure even a 200 uRem/hr stone should be labeled "incredibly hot". Every time you get your teeth x-rayed at the dentist you have exposed yourself to 2000-3000 uRem or a cross-country flight would expose you to 5000 uRem. Where is the controversy over that?

[Christina Weigel]

Barbara, Crema Bordeaux comes from the same mountain as Bordeaux, Four Seasons, & others. There is a uranium mine nearby but Crema Bordeaux seems to be among the lower radiating stones of the group. But you should test yours first before buying.

Perhaps try a physics university student with a Geiger counter or try the solidsurfacealliance blog. He's setting up a list of testers. They're from radiation enthusiasts group & a RadSafe group.

Rochelle & Janice, I'm not familiar with Namibian Gold. If thats its true name then I'll have to do more digging to find the quarry. But if it's real name is Nepson Gold then it comes from the sister quarry of Stone Africa. Individual slabs can be tested at stone yards, see my response to Barbara, but if the meter reads low in the stack then you're okay. But if it reads high, don't worry yet, you'll want to isolate it away from the stack because if there are elevated stones in the stack, behind or opposite your slab then it will affect the reading. I know sometimes the employees will move slabs.

You don't have to stay away from Namibian colors but it just means you have to put more effort into finding safe slabs for your kitchen.

Bonnie, is it possible that there's another name for "Classic Wave"?

Jerry, the concern is not the momentary exposure to these granites, its the chronic exposure that worries me. With the increased placement of granite for eating islands, elevated eating bars, computer desks, etc. a family's exposure can add up. Imagine a young child's nose being so close to a kitchen's radioactive granite countertop & the family has no knowledge of it. Now for me that's a little concerning.

Thanks all for your questions. You can send me more questions at christina@thecarpentershop.net.

[Deborah]

I am remodeling my kitchen and was going to purchase Typhoon Bordeaux from Brazil. How do I find out if the two slabs I have selected emit radon at unacceptable level?

[Sherry]

We recently installed a granite countertop with our kitchen remodel. I am waiting to hear back from the granite supplier-installer (Suburban Marble & Granite in Ivyland, PA) on our granite, which is "unique" and called "Elegant Bordeaux." I hope that the supplier-installer is helpful in providing radon information on the slabs. If not, I plan to test it and proceed accordingly. We love our granite and our new kitchen, but must take steps to ensure our family members (and any future purchaser) is safe.

[Mike]

We just remodeled our home and had Golden Beach (Juparana Persa) installed in our kitchen and Midori Gold in the master bathroom. Might you have any information on the origin of these selections?

[Will]

I would like to comment on the report on short term radon test kits published in the recent issue of CR. I found the report to be very uncharacteristic of CR. Specifically the report was very superficial and imcomplete. For example, it states that a Fair rating on accuracy for a charcoal test kit indicated a deviation of plus or minus 60% from the CR actual test condition value. However, it does NOT state the plus or minus percentage value for kits which ranked in the Good or Very Good category. Since I have used the kit that ranked in the Good category, I would like to know how accurate that kit is.

CR - can you provide some clarifications in the next issue??

[huligar]

The nsra is installing a hot slab and testing a home live on the net for all to see. Here is a link just in case you all would like to see.

http://www.nsraweb.com/forums/news-5/live-testing-kitchen-radon-before-granite-9010.html

[ann]

Does anyone have any information about radon/radiation from a granite called Typhoon Bordeaux? Is this the same stone known as Bordeaux?
I know it comes from Brazil but don't know where it is mined.
Any info would be helpful since I picked it out for my kitchen.

[ann khan]

Does anyone have information concerning a granite called tyhoon bordeaux? Is this the same as bordeaux, and if not has this been tested by onyone for radiation/radon levels? I am thinking of installing this in my kitchen.

[Huligar]

Thanks for waiting. I just got back from Vegas where the people who come up with programs to deal with Radon and Radiation were having a conference and one of the topics was building materials.

I personally spoke to Stanley P. Liebert of CMT Laboratories who denied any direct or indirect correspondence with our Al or the SSA. Mr. Liebert went on to say that the only thing that he is hoping to point out is the fact that 10 out of the 2000 granites emit some radiation. This however, does not directly translate to what we have been reading on the web. That is, if you have a slab that has some traces of radiation it will give off radon with in the next ten generations. Mr. Liebert is also the proud owner of granite as well. He thinks it’s crazy for someone to remove a counter top simply because of one area that may show a reading.

I also had the pleasure of speaking with Erik Listou of Build Responsible, Gary Hodgden of AAIR Professionals, Bill Brodhead of WPB Enterprises Inc, and Shawn Price of Air Chek, Inc. These guys gave me a crash course in radiation and radon while confirming that we had the hottest stone measured to date.

Everyone that I spoke to all had the same conclusion. At this time the radiation from natural stone has no significant bearing on the radon levels in a home. It was also explained and demonstrated that the meters on the market are not the best tools to go hunting for radon coming from natural stone. The areas of a slab can be easily avoided or even removed if deemed necessary.

In the NSRA test kitchen, the numbers before the installation were all very low. All were less than 0.3 pCi/l on the days of testing (about as low as anyone can measure.)

The test kit in the hall was 0.6 pCi/l
The test kit hanging in the door way was 0.8
The test kit hanging from the cabinets was 0.7
And the one we hung 12" over the "hottest" spot was 1.0 pCi/l

This test was done in a way to make sure we got the highest readings possible. We now intend on testing the home as if we were simply testing for radon in the home.

[Al Gerhart]

Mr. Huligar is either confused or is promoting a bald face lie on several issues.

First off, I have known Stan Liebert for many months now, in fact, one of the samples he used in the New York Times story and the CBS Morning News story were my samples, Niagara Gold. One can clearly see the markings on the side, and we have photos showing the same markings.

Secondly, the consensus on the AARST convention was one of concern with the granite Radon/radiatino issue. Several papers were given and two panel discussions on what to do about the problems. It was decided that the CRCPD, a group of state Radon officials, were to take the radiation issues and set standards and protocols for measuring.

Here is a link to the AARST convention scientific papers. Look for the author's names on the right side of the column.

http://www.aarst.org/radon_research_papers.shtml

Specifically, Mr. Hulligar mentions Bill Brodhead of WPB Enterprises, a Radon lab out of Pennslyvania. Bill had two papers on Radon in building materials, concrete and granite were measured and reported as being sources of Radon at serious levels. Bill did one calculation where he showed 3 pCi/L of Radon from a granite countertop, and had this entire study along with his math calculations posted in an exhibit at the free portion of the show, a small room with exhibits and trade booths.

Both Stan Liebert and Bill Brodhead participate in my email group on this subject, along with many of the leading researchers on this subject. Both are easily found online, and a simple email will expose Mr. Huligar for what he is.

Dr. Kitto gave a paper on the subject of granite and Radon, along with power point slides of his methods and results. He found Radon levels from two of our samples, Niagara Gold and Four Seasons, to generate as much as 24 pCi/L if radon in a kitchen. Ventilation would remove as much as half of the Radon, but what was left was dangerous to the families living in the home.

Brodhead, Dr. Steck, and other Radon experts concurred with Dr. Kitto, there is a real problem with some of these exotic granites that are being installed.

Huligar's home test is suspect since he is in the stone industry and runs a stone website. Also, Bill Brodhead sent me an email that explained from what info he had recieved, there was enough ventilation to keep the Radon levels below maximum levels. Bill has extensive contact with Air Chek, the lab that did the testing on the charcoal test kits.

Also, Huligar did not report the result of the kit that was placed under a lid on the countertop. While the test appears to be somewhat flawed, using a foam fast food tray for the cover instead of the usual steel or glass cover used by most researchers, the kit did report some serious levels of Radon emanating from Huligar's slab.

Air Chek had a core sample from Huligar's countertop material, and it read 1,080 uR/hr with our PM 1703 gamma meter, the same as Air Chek's very expensive Bicron meter read. That is 1 mR per hour from one hot spot in the top, and Huligar reported six of these hot spots plus the above average radiation coming from the rest of the slab.

Why someone would expose their wife and small child, a small girl that looks to be two or three years old, to very large amounts of radiation in a effort to discredit the scientists that are researching this topic is beyond my comprehension.

Why anyone would lie about something so easily proven is beyond me as well. Shame on you, Huligar.

[Peter Pental]

Since this granite radiation issue is causing some confusion, I've started a blog with information from the EPA, MIA, and HPS.

http://safegranite.blogspot.com

Hope this clears things up.

Peter Pental
www.pentalonline.com

[Conniea]

Does anyone have any test results on radon levels
in Japurana Persa.