Dangers of granite countertops

Granite Countertops A Health Threat? Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. The EPA also says that any radon from granite countertops in kitchens or bathrooms is likely to be “diluted in the typical home, since those rooms are usually well-ventilated. The amount is VERY VERY insignificant though. As you expected ,you need a diamond hole saw and a drill to power it.

They dry cutting hole saw will cut like a knife through butter. Making a small, simple concrete countertop is an achievable do-it-yourself project. ClaiSome granite countertops may emit radon. Allegations that granite countertops may emit dangerous levels of radon and radiation have been raised periodically over the past decade, mostly by makers and distributors of competing countertop. Because of its aesthetic appeal, granite is often a favorite material for countertops, floors and wall cladding.

All types of granite contain various amounts of uranium, an element that produces radon gas. The best way to prevent damage to your granite countertops is to use the right cleaning and sealing products. Your granite should also be sealed regularly to prevent chemicals and liquids from seeping into the porous stone and causing damage. And for more information on potential health threats from granite countertops : Radiation experts at the Health Physics Society in McLean, Va.

Letter to the Editor in response to the New York Times article. In July, the EPA released an official statement on radiation emitted by granite countertops. Popular Quartz Countertops Pose a Risk to Workers Image Ublester Rodriguez, 3 worked for nearly a decade with “engineered stone” and other materials containing silica.

What are the dangers and what are the suggested remedies? You are not alone in your concerns about the health hazards of granite countertops. Health physicists and radiation experts agree that most granite countertops emit radiation and radon at extremely low levels.

What about radon and radioactivity in granite countertops ? Does the EPA believe there is a danger of radon gas or associated radiation being emitted from granite countertops ? It is possible for any granite sample to contain varying concentrations of uranium and other naturally occurring radioactive elements. People love their granite countertops , though some now consider them too commonplace and prefer materials such as quartz or quartzite. But there’s another reason some segue from granite.

The Dangers of DIY Stone Countertop Installation Stone Countertops Are Heavy The thing with stone countertops is, of course, that they are incredibly heavy compared to most other materials available for use in a kitchen. However, although granite countertops draw their beauty from the natural worl they can also contain naturally occurring radioactive elements. These elements, such as uranium and radium, break down over time, and can emit radon gas.

Thoruim is more of a danger to fabrictors than homeowners, if aerosolized or present in dust form, it can lead to increased risk of cancers of. Vinegar is very acidic, and it can easily deteriorate the sealant on granite that protects it from stains and etches. At issue is whether granite emits dangerous amounts of radon, a colorless and odorless gas that is known to cause lung cancer. In addition, vinegar can dull the professional finish of the granite. Eventually, it can even cause etching, impacting the structural integrity and beauty of the stone.

Where the stone for your granite or quartz countertop was quarried from will determine the amount of uranium and radon and your relative potential exposure levels. Obviously, nobody can tell you this except the manufacturer or mining company for your specific stone. Do you have a granite countertop or another type of natural-stone surface in your kitchen? Now they have released a new product that you can use daily to clean and polish your natural-stone. Calculations show that, if an average countertop , traps an average uranium concentration of four ppm (parts per million), the concentration of radon that is given off by the countertop into the household air would be 270times less than the level of radon in the outside air.

This cut gives your granite countertops a soft and rounded look. The Pros and Cons of Marble Countertops Marble Countertop Bathroom When you ask a countertop contractor about the wisdom of installing marble countertops , the typical answer is, “it depends on where you’re going to use them. Vetstreet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The surface of a polished granite countertop is bacteria-resistant. The known danger of radon is that it has been linked to lung cancer following extended exposure to concentrated levels in a closed environment.

Research and scientific testing has shown there is no basis for the rumors concerning radon and radioactivity emanating from granite countertops. Solid surface is a perfect mid-range countertop material. Buyers not interested in laminate but still looking for an affordable countertop often gravitate to solid surface.

It is one of the few counter materials that a homeowner can resurface with just an orbital sander. While visually it lacks the. Would I Be Crazy to Choose Marble Countertops for My Kitchen? In at least some cases from Spain and Israel, workers were. Also, granite is one of the best surfaces for resisting bacteria, although competitors of granite surfaces have mounted a campaign to convince consumers of the inherent dangers of granite.

Safe, Non-Toxic Kitchen Countertops for Project 111. Silestone and granite both make great countertops but you need to know this key difference. Not everyone is aware, but it is not advisable to use regular household cleaners on your granite countertops.

There are specific cleaners available that are specifically made for cleaning granite countertops and other types of stone. Sure, a complete revamp of a kitchen countertop is a new and fresh way of updating your surface. But when cost and other factors are an issue, painting kitchen countertops might also be a viable option, providing a middle ground between replacing the countertop and dealing with it for the time being.